vision

1 of 2

noun

vi·​sion ˈvi-zhən How to pronounce vision (audio)
1
a
: the act or power of seeing : sight
b
: the special sense by which the qualities of an object (such as color, luminosity, shape, and size) constituting its appearance are perceived through a process in which light rays entering the eye are transformed by the retina into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve
2
a
: something seen in a dream, trance, or ecstasy
especially : a supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation
b
: a thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination
c
: a manifestation to the senses of something immaterial
look, not at visions, but at realitiesEdith Wharton
3
a
: the act or power of imagination
b(1)
: mode of seeing or conceiving
(2)
: unusual discernment or foresight
a person of vision
c
: direct mystical awareness of the supernatural usually in visible form
4
a
: something seen
b
: a lovely or charming sight
visional
ˈvizh-nəl
ˈvi-zhə-nᵊl How to pronounce vision (audio)
adjective
visionally adverb

vision

2 of 2

verb

visioned; visioning ˈvi-zhə-niŋ How to pronounce vision (audio)
ˈvizh-niŋ

Examples of vision in a Sentence

Noun We had visions of fame and fortune. the architect's vision for the new building She had a clear vision of what she wanted to do. He had a vision of Christ. The idea came to me in a vision. Verb visioned her idea of the perfect meal
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Six separate chapters are devoted to the basic blocking and tackling of effective university administration through adherence to the qualities of vision, openness, resilience, courage, passion and hope. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024 Young artists want to reclaim their vision Part 2:Breaking down the 'wall': Indigenous art masters rebel against gatekeepers Part 3: Revolutionary artists changing the culture of Native art Part 4:What's real and what's fake? Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024
Verb
Managers and their co-workers need to work hard to establish the link between the team goals and the firms vision and show how their work can effect the performance of the organization. Andrew Mawson, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 In 2019, under the guidance of Assembly Chair Felix Rivera, the Assembly hired Laurie Wolf to facilitate a series of three strategic visioning meetings to better define our goals for years 2019-2021. Anchorage Daily News, 28 Mar. 2020 See all Example Sentences for vision 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin vision-, visio, from vidēre to see — more at wit

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vision was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near vision

Cite this Entry

“Vision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vision. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

vision

1 of 2 noun
vi·​sion ˈvizh-ən How to pronounce vision (audio)
1
a
: something seen in the mind (as during a dream)
b
: a vivid picture created by the imagination
c
: ghost
2
a
: the act or power of imagination
b
: unusual ability to think or plan ahead
people with vision building for the future
3
a
: the act or power of seeing : sight
b
: the sense by which the qualities of an object (as color, shape, and size) are perceived through a process in which light rays entering the eye are transformed into signals that pass to the brain
4
: something seen
especially : a lovely or charming sight

vision

2 of 2 verb
visioned; visioning ˈvizh-niŋ How to pronounce vision (audio)
-ə-niŋ
: imagine sense 1
couldn't vision it happening
Etymology

Noun

Middle English vision "something seen in a dream or trance," from early French vision (same meaning), from Latin vision-, visio (same meaning), derived from vidēre "to see" — related to clairvoyance, evident, provide, supervise, visit

Medical Definition

vision

noun
vi·​sion ˈvizh-ən How to pronounce vision (audio)
1
: the act or power of seeing : sight
2
: the special sense by which the qualities of an object (as color, luminosity, shape, and size) constituting its appearance are perceived through a process in which light rays entering the eye are transformed by the retina into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve

More from Merriam-Webster on vision

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