horizon

noun

ho·​ri·​zon hə-ˈrī-zᵊn 

1

a

: the line where the earth seems to meet the sky : the apparent junction of earth and sky

sailing toward the horizon

b

: the great circle on the celestial sphere formed by the intersection of the celestial sphere with a plane tangent to the earth's surface at an observer's position see azimuth illustration

c

: range of perception or experience

broaden your horizons

d

: something that might be attained

opening up new horizons in the field of cancer research

2

a

geology : a natural soil layer deposited at a particular time usually identified by distinctive fossils

b

geology : any of the reasonably distinct layers of soil or its underlying material in a vertical section of land

c

anthropology : a cultural area or level of development indicated by separated groups of artifacts

horizonal

hə-ˈrī-zᵊn-əl 

adjective

Examples of horizon in a Sentence

We sailed toward the horizon.

The sun rose slowly over the eastern horizon.

These discoveries have opened up new horizons in the field of cancer research.

Recent Examples on the Web

And just off to the north and to the east, beneath this layer of dark, dark sky, there is a lovely pink and orange horizon; an orange and gold color. —David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2024

On the evening of April 10, head outside to see the two-day-old moon and bright Jupiter near each other along the western horizon just after sunset. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024

Tune Into Your Environment Expand your horizons beyond your usual workspace and find solace in the vibrant tapestry of life. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Jupiter is a very bright object in the western horizon. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024

The comet can be seen in the early evenings from the Northern Hemisphere by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2024

Markets probably shouldn’t be pricing in anything with too much certainty at that horizon. —Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024

Shortly before sunrise, the conditions were just right to display the Belt of Venus, a phenomenon in which a swath of pastel pink runs along the opposite horizon from the sun. —Maggie Downs, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024

For his first season out of the gate, he’s demonstrated an ability to expand horizons while honoring beloved classics. —Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English orizon, from Late Latin horizont-, horizon, from Greek horizont-, horizōn, from present participle of horizein to bound, define, from horos boundary; perhaps akin to Latin urvum curved part of a plow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing horizon

• C horizon
• artificial horizon
• A horizon
• gyro horizon
• event horizon
• on the horizon
• cloud on the horizon
• the horizon
• B horizon

Kids Definition

horizon

noun

ho·​ri·​zon ˈhə-ˈrīz-ᵊn 

1

: the line where the earth or sea seems to meet the sky

2

: the limit or range of a person's outlook or experience

reading broadens our horizons

3

: a distinct layer of soil or its underlying material in a vertical section of land

horizonal

-ˈrīz-nəl 

-ᵊn-əl

adjective