foresight

[ fawr-sahyt, fohr- ]

noun

1. care or provision for the future; provident care; prudence.
2. the act or power of foreseeing; prevision; prescience.
3. an act of looking forward.
4. knowledge or insight gained by or as by looking forward; a view of the future.

   Synonyms: foreknowledge

5. Surveying.
   1. a sight or reading taken on a forward point.
   2. (in leveling) a rod reading on a point the elevation of which is to be determined.

foresight

/ ˈfɔːˌsaɪt /

noun

1. provision for or insight into future problems, needs, etc
2. the act or ability of foreseeing
3. the act of looking forward
4. surveying a reading taken looking forwards to a new station, esp in levelling from a point of known elevation to a point the elevation of which is to be determined Compare backsight
5. the front sight on a firearm

Derived Forms

• ˌforeˈsightedly, adverb
• ˌforeˈsighted, adjective
• ˌforeˈsightedness, noun

Other Words From

• foresighted adjective
• foresighted·ly adverb
• foresighted·ness noun
• foresightful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foresight¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, foresight is from the Middle English word forsight. See fore-, sight

Synonym Study

See prudence.

Example Sentences

“In Europe, we have the benefit of foresight: we saw what happened in America and can prepare accordingly to avoid the worst outcomes,” Gomes continued.

From Salon

With unerring foresight, she committed to producing a video for the general election aimed at these voters in key battleground states.

From Salon

I got clowned, sure, but I had the foresight to know how chic a big bag is.

From Los Angeles Times

“California showed unanimous agreement and foresight in protecting octopuses from mass production,” said Jennifer Jacquet, professor of environmental science and policy at the University of Miami.

From Los Angeles Times

He went on to extol Alatorre for the foresight to draw lines anticipating that Californians’ demographics would dramatically shift in the coming decades “when none of us would be around.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• insight
• prudence