First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1sight
noun \ˈsīt\
: the sense through which a person or animal becomes aware of light, color, etc., by using the eyes : the ability to see
: the act of seeing someone or something
: a position in which someone or something can be seen
Full Definition of SIGHT
1
: something that is seen : spectacle
2
a : a thing regarded as worth seeing —usually used in plural <the sights of the city> b : something ludicrous or disorderly in appearance <you look a sight>
3
a chiefly dialect : a great number or quantity b : a good deal : lot <a far sight better> <not by a damn sight>
4
a : the process, power, or function of seeing; specifically : the physical sense by which light stimuli received by the eye are interpreted by the brain and constructed into a representation of the position, shape, brightness, and usually color of objects in space b : mental or spiritual perception c : mental view; specifically : judgment
5
a : the act of looking at or beholding b : inspection, perusal c : view, glimpse d : an observation to determine direction or position (as by a navigator)
6
a : a perception of an object by or as if by the eye <never lost sight of the objective> b : the range of vision <was nowhere in sight>
7
: presentation of a note or draft to the maker or draftee : demand
8
a : a device that aids the eye in aiming or in finding the direction of an object b plural : aspiration <set her sights on a medical career>
— in sight
: at or within a reasonable distance or time
— on sight
: as soon as seen <ordered to shoot on sight>
— out of sight
1
: beyond comparison
2
: beyond all expectation or reason
3
—used as a generalized expression of approval
— sight for sore eyes
: one whose appearance or arrival is an occasion for joy or relief
See sight defined for English-language learners
See sight defined for kids
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Origin of SIGHT
Middle English, from Old English gesiht faculty or act of sight, thing seen; akin to Old High German gisiht sight, Old English sēon to see
Related to SIGHT
2sight
verb
: to see (something or someone that is being looked for or that is rarely seen or difficult to see)
Full Definition of SIGHT
transitive verb1
: to get or catch sight of <several whales were sighted>
2
: to look at through or as if through a sight; especially : to test for straightness
3
: to aim by means of sights
4
a : to equip with sights b : to adjust the sights of
intransitive verb
1
: to take aim
2
: to look carefully in a particular direction
See sight defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SIGHT
1602
3sight
adjective
Definition of SIGHT
1
: based on recognition or comprehension without previous study <sight translation>
2
: payable on presentation <a sight draft>
First Known Use of SIGHT
1801
ON SIGHT Defined for Kids
1sight
noun \ˈsīt\
Definition of SIGHT for Kids
1
: the function, process, or power of seeing : the sense by which a person or animal becomes aware of the position, form, and color of objects
2
: the act of seeing <It was love at first sight.>
3
: something that is seen : spectacle <The northern lights were an amazing sight.>
4
: something that is worth seeing <He showed us the sights of the city.>
5
: something that is peculiar, funny, or messy <You're a sight!>
6
: the presence of an object within the field of vision <I can't stand the sight of blood.> <She caught sight of an eagle.>
7
: the distance a person can see <A ship came into sight.>
8
: a device (as a small metal bead on a gun barrel) that aids the eye in aiming or in finding the direction of an object
2sight
verb
sight·edsight·ing
Definition of SIGHT for Kids
1
: to get a look at : see <Their dog was sighted in a neighbor's garden.>
2
: to look at through or as if through a device that aids the eye in aiming or in finding the direction of an object
Medical Dictionary
sight
noun \ˈsīt\
Medical Definition of SIGHT
1
: something that is seen
2
: the process, power, or function of seeing; specifically : the one of the five basic physical senses by which light stimuli received by the eye are interpreted by the brain and constructed into a representation of the position, shape, brightness, and usually color of objects in space
3
a : a perception of an object by the eye b : the range of vision
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