visibility

[viz-uh-bil-i-tee]

noun

1. the state or fact of being visible.

2. the relative ability to be seen under given conditions of distance, light, atmosphere, etc..

   low visibility due to fog.

3. Also called visual range. Meteorology.,  the distance at which a given standard object can be seen and identified with the unaided eye.

4. the ability to give a relatively large range of unobstructed vision.

   a windshield with good visibility.

5. Typography.,  legibility.

visibility

/ ˌvɪzɪˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition or fact of being visible

2. clarity of vision or relative possibility of seeing

3. the range of vision

   visibility is 500 yards

Other Word Forms

• intervisibility noun
• nonvisibility noun
• previsibility noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of visibility¹

1575–85; < Late Latin vīsibilitās, equivalent to Latin vīsibili ( s ) visible + -tās -ty ²

Example Sentences

The water visibility was nil — just a blur of yellow, brown and eventually black.

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"We are comparably sized to Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's, and yet our visibility and the services that we do receive pale in significance," she said.

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He said it was partly about "reputation and visibility", as well as improving research and industry links, but also "about income diversification".

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Supt Rachel Swinney from Sussex Police said there were "additional patrols taking place at places of worship across Sussex to provide visibility and reassurance".

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Fun and visibility are not distractions - they are part of success.

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