eye contact

American  

noun

1. the act of looking directly into another's eyes.

   We never made eye contact at any time during the interview.

2. Psychology. a meeting of the eyes of two persons, regarded as a meaningful nonverbal form of communication.

---

eye contact British  

noun

1. a direct look between two people; meeting of eyes

   he maintained eye contact with his interrogator

---

Etymology

Origin of eye contact

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

They avoided eye contact and stared blankly ahead or kept their eyes lowered.

From Literature

For one, he’s getting to actually make public eye contact with his wife.

From Los Angeles Times

So quiet that I can’t remember the last time he said hi or even made eye contact with me.

From Literature

Her eye contact hardly wavered during the performance, her eyes often wide as they stared directly into the camera.

From Los Angeles Times

As they moved through the space, they scanned the room, making eye contact with employees and customers.

From BBC