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

Sometimes she’s wrong, sometimes she fights fate with everything she’s got, yet her faith in her foresight is rarely shaken.

From Los Angeles Times

His musical importance is rooted in his foresight, helping to foster a music style that both carved out a new identity for Jamaican musicians and embraced the island’s African heritage.

From The Wall Street Journal

He has propelled the BBC forward with determination, single-mindedness and foresight.

From BBC

In creating Barron’s Investor Circle, we sought to channel the same creativity and foresight that led Clarence Barron to found the magazine more than a century ago.

From Barron's

“My grandfather had a foresight that this genre would be the future.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• insight
• prudence