visual acuity

noun

: the relative ability of the visual organ to resolve detail that is usually expressed as the reciprocal of the minimum angular separation in minutes of two lines just resolvable as separate and that forms in the average human eye an angle of one minute

Examples of visual acuity in a Sentence

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.
Normal visual acuity is considered to be 20/20, and in the US, legal blindness is defined as 20/200 or worse. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024 The volunteers started off with an average visual acuity of 20/450. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024 Loss of acuity: People lose visual acuity—the ability to see details near or far away—and may have blurry vision. Mark Gurarie, Health, 3 Oct. 2024 The exam includes visual acuity tests that evaluate how each eye can see (e.g., reading charts) and a refraction test. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 18 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for visual acuity 

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of visual acuity was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near visual acuity

Cite this Entry

“Visual acuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visual%20acuity. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

visual acuity

noun
: the relative ability of the visual organ to resolve detail that is usually expressed as the reciprocal of the minimum angular separation in minutes of two lines just resolvable as separate and that forms in the average human eye an angle of one minute compare minimum separable, minimum visible

More from Merriam-Webster on visual acuity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!