visibility

American  

[viz-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌvɪz əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

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.

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visibility British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• previsibility
  noun
• intervisibility
  noun
• nonvisibility
  noun

Etymology

Origin of visibility

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

Explanation

Use the noun visibility to describe how well you can see something, like the great visibility from the top of a mountain on a clear day. In addition to meaning "how well you can see," visibility can also mean "how well others can see something." So, the reflective stripes on your running pants give you visibility in the dark because they help other people see you. Another kind of visibility is being in the public eye, like an actor whose visibility helps him land roles in movies and promote the causes he cares about, like literacy or helping endangered animals.

Example Sentences

“Sentiment has troughed,” said Morgan Stanley equity analyst Brian Nowak, citing lower visibility and confidence in its ability to turn AI investments into shareholder returns and its staggering rate of capital spending.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Just after sunrise, we drove through more fog, our headlights only making the visibility worse.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

Because the assault was multipronged, with Allied forces coming by sea, land and air, they required good visibility at night and a high tide to ensure less distances between the boats and the defending Germans.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

It says increased monitoring and visibility of the scheme has helped prevent some incidents, with about 12% of fly-tipping either stopped before collection or removed by those responsible.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

With a visibility of 50 kilometers, I should at least be able to see a distinct curvature of the rim.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir