computer vision: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “computer vision” mean?
A field of artificial intelligence that enables computers and systems to derive meaningful information from digital images, videos, and other visual inputs, and to take actions or make recommendations based on that information.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A field of artificial intelligence that enables computers and systems to derive meaningful information from digital images, videos, and other visual inputs, and to take actions or make recommendations based on that information.
The interdisciplinary scientific field encompassing methods for acquiring, processing, analyzing, and understanding digital images, with applications ranging from medical image analysis and autonomous vehicles to facial recognition and industrial inspection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling follows standard compound noun conventions in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be hyphenated ('computer-vision') in older British technical texts, but solid form is now standard globally.
Frequency
Equally frequent in technical contexts in both regions. Slightly higher relative frequency in American English due to larger tech industry discourse volume.
Grammar
How to Use “computer vision” in a Sentence
[Noun] uses/employs/applies computer vision to [Verb Phrase]Computer vision enables/allows [Noun Phrase] to [Verb]The development/advancement of computer visionA computer vision-based [Noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “computer vision” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system is computer-visioning the components for defects.
- We need to computer-vision the entire production line.
American English
- The software computer-visions the traffic flow.
- They are computer-visioning the medical scans for anomalies.
adverb
British English
- The inspection was done computer-visionally.
- The data was analysed computer-vision-wise.
American English
- The system operates computer-visually.
- It was identified computer-visionally.
adjective
British English
- The computer-vision capabilities were impressive.
- It's a computer-vision-assisted surgery tool.
American English
- A computer-vision algorithm flagged the anomaly.
- The car has computer-vision technology.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to automation, quality control, retail analytics (e.g., 'We implemented computer vision for inventory management.')
Academic
Discussed in computer science, engineering, robotics, and medical imaging journals (e.g., 'The paper presents a novel computer vision architecture.')
Everyday
Rare in general conversation. May appear in tech news (e.g., 'The phone uses computer vision to identify plants.')
Technical
Precise reference to algorithms, models, datasets, and systems (e.g., 'The convolutional neural network is trained for computer vision tasks.')
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “computer vision”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “computer vision”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “computer vision”
- Using 'computer vision' to refer to computer-generated imagery (CGI) or graphics.
- Treating it as a plural noun (*computer visions).
- Misspelling as 'computervision' (should be two words or hyphenated in certain styles).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Image processing involves manipulating images (e.g., enhancing contrast, filtering), while computer vision aims to interpret and understand the content of images to make decisions.
The terms are often used interchangeably. However, 'machine vision' typically refers to the application of computer vision in industrial or manufacturing settings for automation and inspection.
Python is dominant, primarily using libraries like OpenCV, TensorFlow, and PyTorch. C++ is also used for performance-critical applications.
CNNs are a class of deep neural networks that have become the standard architecture for many computer vision tasks like image classification and object detection due to their efficiency in processing pixel data.
A field of artificial intelligence that enables computers and systems to derive meaningful information from digital images, videos, and other visual inputs, and to take actions or make recommendations based on that information.
Computer vision is usually technical/academic in register.
Computer vision: in British English it is pronounced /kəmˈpjuːtə ˈvɪʒ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəmˈpjuːt̬ər ˈvɪʒ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lend vision to machines”
- “Give computers eyes”
- “See through algorithms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMPUTER (machine) + VISION (sight) = giving sight to machines.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISION IS DATA INTERPRETATION; EYES ARE CAMERAS; SEEING IS PROCESSING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a primary application of computer vision?