visibility

[viz-uh-bil-i-tee]

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.

visibility

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• intervisibility noun
• nonvisibility noun
• previsibility noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of visibility¹

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

Example Sentences

Given the growth in the private-credit market, there has been some concern over a lack of visibility and disclosures.

Read more on MarketWatch

Meanwhile, tariffs appear to be causing order delays, the analysts say, clouding visibility for a recovery in demand.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I guess visibility doesn’t always mean safety or acceptance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Frontiers FAIR² also enhances visibility and accessibility, supporting responsible reuse by scientists, policymakers, practitioners, communities, and even AI systems, allowing society to extract greater value from its investment in science.

Read more on Science Daily

That's what happened last weekend when the weather changed quite suddenly - the winds began howling, temperatures plummeted and visibility dropped drastically.

Read more on BBC