foresight

American  

[fawr-sahyt, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌsaɪt, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

1. care or provision for the future; provident care; prudence.

2. the act or power of foreseeing; prevision; prescience.

3. an act of looking forward.

4. knowledge or insight gained by or as by looking forward; a view of the future.

   Synonyms:

   foreknowledge

5. Surveying.

   1. a sight or reading taken on a forward point.

   2. (in leveling) a rod reading on a point the elevation of which is to be determined.

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foresight British  

/ ˈfɔːˌsaɪt /

noun

1. provision for or insight into future problems, needs, etc

2. the act or ability of foreseeing

3. the act of looking forward

4. surveying a reading taken looking forwards to a new station, esp in levelling from a point of known elevation to a point the elevation of which is to be determined Compare backsight

5. the front sight on a firearm

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Related Words

See prudence.

Other Word Forms

• foresighted adjective
• foresightedly adverb
• foresightedness noun
• foresightful adjective

Etymology

Origin of foresight

First recorded in 1250–1300, foresight is from the Middle English word forsight. See fore-, sight

Example Sentences

For someone with such foresight, Hesterfowl seemed prone to overlook the obvious.

From Literature

In refusing to indulge all manner of foresight beyond that which concerns profit, and his corporate legacy, he’s left his company imperiled.

From Salon

They require planning, foresight and smart people, including women and minorities, to win — and even then, only if you’re quite lucky.

From Salon

"It's the foresight these people had. How did they see how it was going to become popular?"

From BBC

Urban design today largely rests in the hands of state agencies because long-term foresight and expertise are crucial for properly using scarce land.

From BBC

Related Words

• insight
• prudence