vista

1 of 2

noun

vis·​ta ˈvi-stə 

1

: a distant view through or along an avenue or opening : prospect

2

: an extensive mental view (as over a stretch of time or a series of events)

VISTA

2 of 2

abbreviation

Volunteers in Service to America

Did you know?

Vista is generally used today for broad sweeping views of the kind you might see from a mountaintop. But the word originally meant an avenue-like view, narrowed by a line of trees on either side. And vista has also long been used (like view and outlook) to mean a mental scan of the future—as if you were riding down a long grand avenue and what you could see a mile or so ahead of you was where you'd be in the very near future.

Synonyms

Noun

• command
• lookout
• outlook
• panorama
• perspective
• prospect
• view

Examples of vista in a Sentence

Noun

a gorgeous vista of the mountains from the front window

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The longer West Rim Loop hike rewards you with additional vistas. —Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2025

Set atop almost 16 acres and known as the Kingsbury-Curtis House, the property is on the market for the first time in 20 years with calm vistas of the Ramapo Mountains and nearby lakes. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2025

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has gorgeous vistas, but also many jagged edges on characters’ hair. —PCMAG, 18 Mar. 2025

Climb the 115 steps inside the cathedral tower to a lookout with vistas across the ancient and modern cities. —Carolyn Heller, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian, sight, from visto, past participle of vedere to see, from Latin vidēre — more at wit

First Known Use

Noun

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for vista

• crista
• arista
• artiste
• batiste
• sandinista

Kids Definition

vista

noun

vis·​ta ˈvis-tə 

1

: a distant view through an opening or along an avenue : prospect

2

: a mental view over a long period of time

Geographical Definition

Vista

geographical name

Vis·​ta ˈvi-stə 

city in southwestern California north of San Diego population 93,834