blind spot

noun

1

a

: the small circular area at the back of the retina where the optic nerve enters the eyeball and which is devoid of rods and cones and is not sensitive to light

called also optic disc

see eye illustration

b

: a portion of a field that cannot be seen or inspected with available equipment

2

: an area in which one fails to exercise judgment or discrimination

Examples of blind spot in a Sentence

When driving on the highway, you need to make sure no one is in your blind spot before changing lanes.

She has a blind spot concerning her son's behavior.

Recent Examples on the Web

Blurry vision, blind spots, flickering lights or geometric patterns can also occur. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Dec. 2024

This lack of holistic visibility creates blind spots in the security infrastructure, allowing potential threats to go unnoticed and increasing the risk of successful cyberattacks. —Vijay Pitchumani, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Laser treatment may destroy surrounding healthy tissue, which often results in a small blind spot where the laser has scarred the retina. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024

Ending lead poisoning Lead poisoning has, historically, been a major blind spot in the global health world. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

blind spot

noun

1

a

: a point in the retina through which the optic nerve enters and which does not respond to light

b

: a part of an area that cannot be seen with available equipment

2

: an area of weakness (as in judgment)

Medical Definition

blind spot

noun

: the small circular area in the retina where the optic nerve enters the eye that is devoid of rods and cones and is insensitive to light

called also optic disc