field of vision: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “field of vision” mean?
The entire area that can be seen by a person or optical device without moving the eyes or head.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The entire area that can be seen by a person or optical device without moving the eyes or head.
The scope or range of one's awareness, attention, or understanding in a metaphorical sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or structural differences. 'Visual field' is a more common technical synonym in both varieties, but 'field of vision' is equally understood.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in metaphorical contexts (e.g., business strategy).
Grammar
How to Use “field of vision” in a Sentence
[subject] has a [adjective] field of vision.[object] came into [possessive] field of vision.It fell outside my field of vision.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “field of vision” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The object suddenly **entered my field of vision**.
- He **field-of-vision tested** the patient. (rare, technical)
American English
- A deer **came into my field of vision** on the road.
- The device **fields the vision** of the camera. (highly technical/niche)
adjective
British English
- The **field-of-vision** test results were concerning. (hyphenated attributive)
American English
- We need a **field-of-vision** assessment for the pilot. (hyphenated attributive)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Our new strategy requires a broader field of vision to anticipate market disruptions."
Academic
"The study measured changes in the subjects' peripheral field of vision under varying light conditions."
Everyday
"The tall hedge restricted our field of vision, so we couldn't see the car coming."
Technical
"The ophthalmologist plotted the patient's field of vision to assess for glaucoma."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “field of vision”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “field of vision”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “field of vision”
- Using 'vision field' (incorrect word order).
- Confusing with 'point of view' (which is about opinion, not physical sight).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Eyesight' (or 'visual acuity') refers to the sharpness/clarity of vision. 'Field of vision' refers to the total area you can see, including peripheral areas which might be blurry.
Yes, it is commonly used for cameras, telescopes, and other optical instruments (e.g., 'The security camera has a 90-degree field of vision').
'Peripheral vision' is a PART of your field of vision—specifically the outer edges. Your 'field of vision' includes both central and peripheral sight.
Yes, in the plural, when referring to the distinct visual ranges of multiple individuals or devices (e.g., 'The pilots compared their fields of vision').
The entire area that can be seen by a person or optical device without moving the eyes or head.
Field of vision is usually formal, technical in register.
Field of vision: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfiːld əv ˈvɪʒ.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfiːld əv ˈvɪʒ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tunnel vision (extreme narrowing of field of vision/consideration)”
- “Blinders on (metaphorically limiting one's field of vision)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a football FIELD. You stand in the centre and can see the entire pitch without turning your head—that's your FIELD OF VISION.
Conceptual Metaphor
AWARENESS/ATTENTION IS SIGHT (e.g., 'broaden your field of vision' = consider more factors).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'field of vision' used metaphorically?