vista

¹ American  

[vis-tuh] / ˈvɪs tə /

noun

1. a view or prospect, especially one seen through a long, narrow avenue or passage, as between rows of trees or houses.

2. such an avenue or passage, especially when formally planned.

3. a far-reaching mental view.

   vistas of the future.

   Synonyms:

   vision, outlook, prospect

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Vista ² American  

[vis-tuh] / ˈvɪs tə /

noun

1. a town in SW California.

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VISTA ³ American  

[vis-tuh] / ˈvɪs tə /

noun

1. a national program in the U.S., sponsored by ACTION, for sending volunteers into poor areas to teach various job skills.

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vista ¹ British  

/ ˈvɪstə /

noun

1. a view, esp through a long narrow avenue of trees, buildings, etc, or such a passage or avenue itself; prospect

   a vista of arches

2. a comprehensive mental view of a distant time or a lengthy series of events

   the vista of the future

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VISTA ² British  

/ ˈvɪstə /

acronym

1. Volunteers in Service to America; an organization of volunteers established by the Federal government to assist the poor

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Usage

What does vista mean? A vista is a wide view of a scene, especially a sweeping outdoor scene such as a mountain valley or beach.Traditionally, vista referred to a view seen through a long, narrow passage, such as between two rows of trees or buildings, but this meaning is now less commonly used.Example: The description for this hotel room claims that we’ll have a vista of the mountain at sunrise from our balcony.

Related Words

See view.

Other Word Forms

• vistaed adjective
• vistaless adjective

Etymology

Origin of vista¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Italian: “a view,” noun use of feminine of visto (past participle of vedere “to see,” from Latin vidēre )

Origin of VISTA³

V(olunteers) i(n) S(ervice) t(o) A(merica)

Example Sentences

Looking ahead is good, of course, but the vista investors must now contemplate is replete with a host of issues that are both unique to U.S. markets and concerning to a longer term outlook.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

The main living space, which features an enormous great room with windows spanning the entirety of the wall, offering a picture-perfect vista of the park.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 15, 2026

There aren’t as many rules as in contract bridge, but it does offer the horizon-less vista of a brand-new game of Monopoly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

Martire finds inspiration for his compositions in the many places he has traveled and is always looking for the next stunning natural vista in which to perform.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2025

As we passed Dundas Island, though, the vista suddenly widened.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer