visibility

noun

vis·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌvi-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural visibilities

1

: the quality or state of being visible

2

a

: the degree of clearness (as of the atmosphere or ocean)

specifically : the greatest distance through the atmosphere toward the horizon at which prominent objects can be identified with the naked eye

b

: capability of being readily noticed

c

: capability of affording an unobstructed view

d

: publicity sense 2d

3

: a measure of the ability of radiant energy to evoke visual sensation

Examples of visibility in a Sentence

The extra publicity helped to increase the company's visibility.

Recent Examples on the Web

This lack of visibility undermines both executive security and crisis preparedness. —Control Risks, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

If visibility is less than five miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025

Increasing crosswalk visibility and accessibility Improving pedestrian safety with enhanced visibility and accessibility measures for crosswalks. —Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025

Both crackdowns followed periods of unprecedented visibility for groups previously confined to the shadows. —Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 15 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for visibility

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

Kids Definition

visibility

noun

vis·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌviz-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

1

: the quality or state of being visible

2

: the degree of clearness of the atmosphere

Medical Definition

visibility

noun

vis·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌviz-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural visibilities

1

: the quality or state of being visible

2

: a measure of the ability of radiant energy to evoke visual sensation