vista

1 of 2

noun

vis·​ta ˈvi-stə 

1

: a distant view through or along an avenue or opening : prospect

2

: an extensive mental view (as over a stretch of time or a series of events)

VISTA

2 of 2

abbreviation

Volunteers in Service to America

Did you know?

Vista is generally used today for broad sweeping views of the kind you might see from a mountaintop. But the word originally meant an avenue-like view, narrowed by a line of trees on either side. And vista has also long been used (like view and outlook) to mean a mental scan of the future—as if you were riding down a long grand avenue and what you could see a mile or so ahead of you was where you'd be in the very near future.

Synonyms

Noun

• command
• lookout
• outlook
• panorama
• perspective
• prospect
• view

Examples of vista in a Sentence

Noun

a gorgeous vista of the mountains from the front window

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In addition to its multiple terraces with their panoramic vistas over the city and bay, a few of the home’s other notable amenities include two gourmet kitchens, an outdoor spa, and a guest suite with a private entrance. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 26 June 2024

Then drive up to the Hollywood Hills and drop by Jerome C. Daniel Overlook for sweeping vistas of the City of Angels before stopping by the Griffith Observatory for even more exceptional views. —Christina Liao, Vogue, 17 June 2024

In Building 1 every unit has three sides of exposure, a wall of glass and a deck with a vista over city rooftops. —Washington Post, 12 June 2024

The route takes us on some back roads at the edge of town, revealing the jagged red vistas that have been featured in so many documentaries and news stories about the area. —Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 12 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian, sight, from visto, past participle of vedere to see, from Latin vidēre — more at wit

First Known Use

Noun

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

vista

noun

vis·​ta ˈvis-tə 

1

: a distant view through an opening or along an avenue : prospect

2

: a mental view over a long period of time

Geographical Definition

Vista

geographical name

Vis·​ta ˈvi-stə 

city in southwestern California north of San Diego population 93,834