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Synonyms

line of sight

American  
[lahyn uhv sahyt] / ˈlaɪn əv ˈsaɪt /

noun

  1. Also called line of sighting.  an imaginary straight line running through the aligned sights of a firearm, surveying equipment, etc.

  2. Astronomy. an imaginary line from an observer to a celestial body, coincident with the path traveled by light rays receivedfrom the body.

  3. Radio. a straight line connecting two points sufficiently high and near one another so that the line is entirely above the surface of the earth.

  4. Ophthalmology. line of vision.

  5. sightline.


line of sight British  

noun

  1. the straight line along which an observer looks or a beam of radiation travels

  2. ophthalmol another term for line of vision

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of line of sight

First recorded in 1550–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We have line of sight to monetizing approximately 800 megawatts of power over time, and our pipeline of interest remains deep and active.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Always in each other’s line of sight, always negotiating space that didn’t exist.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Additionally, Arcuri said he doesn’t think Intel would’ve retaken ownership of the Ireland fab if it didn’t have “a good line of sight over potential foundry wins.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

She was meant to be kept in line of sight by a staff member at all times.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Eventually I compromised, and walked half a mile in the wrong direction toward the gap, keeping the store between me and his line of sight.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien

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