visibility

noun

vis·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌvi-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce visibility (audio)
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2025 With reduced visibility, poor air quality and hazardous driving conditions, large-scale dust storms like this reflect ongoing challenges posed by drought and land degradation in arid regions. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025 According to a study, professionals fall into five levels of ‘visible expertise,’ and those in the ‘global superstar’ category earn up to 13 times more than those without visibility. Victoria Chynoweth, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025 Despite their influence, Black writers are often confined to race-specific topics, underpaid, and overlooked for promotions, further demonstrating that visibility does not equal equity in fashion media. Joce Blake, Essence, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for visibility

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of visibility was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Visibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visibility. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

visibility

noun
vis·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌviz-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce visibility (audio)
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 How to pronounce visibility (audio)
plural visibilities
1
: the quality or state of being visible
2
: a measure of the ability of radiant energy to evoke visual sensation

More from Merriam-Webster on visibility

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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