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Horizon

[huh-rahy-zuhn]

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noun

the line or circle that forms the apparent boundary between earth and sky.

Astronomy.

the small circle of the celestial sphere whose plane is tangent to the earth at the position of a given observer, or the plane of such a circle (sensible horizon).

Also called rational horizon. the great circle of the celestial sphere whose plane passes through the center of the earth and is parallel to the sensible horizon of a given position, or the plane of such a circle (celestial horizon).

the limit or range of perception, knowledge, or the like.

Usually, horizons. the scope of a person's interest, education, understanding, etc.: His horizons were narrow.

Geology. a thin, distinctive stratum useful for stratigraphic correlation.

EXPAND

any of the series of distinctive layers found in a vertical cross section of any well-developed soil.

COLLAPSE

Origin:
1540–50; < Latin horizōn < Greek horízōn (kýklos) bounding (circle), equivalent to horíz(ein) to bound, limit + -ōn present participle suffix (nominative singular); replacing Middle English orizonte < Middle French < Latin horizontem, accusative of horizōn

Synonyms
4. world, perspective, domain, viewpoint.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Horizon is always a great word to know.

So is pulsar. Does it mean:

one of several hundred known celestial objects, generally believed to be rapidly rotating neutron stars, that emit pulses of radiation such as radio waves with a high degree of regularity

a zodiacal constellation between Gemini and Aries, containing the bright star Aldebaran also called the Bull

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Example Sentences

When he saw fast-moving clouds on the horizon, he turned his group around.

Here's a look at what's on the horizon.

The closer the sun is to the horizon, the more of the circle we see.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

horizon (həˈraɪz^ən)

—n
1.	visible horizon, Also called: apparent horizon the apparent line that divides the earth and the sky
2.	astronomy
	a. Also called: sensible horizon the circular intersection with the celestial sphere of the plane tangential to the earth at the position of the observer
	b. Also called: celestial horizon the great circle on the celestial sphere, the plane of which passes through the centre of the earth and is parallel to the sensible horizon
3.	the range or limit of scope, interest, knowledge, etc
4.	a thin layer of rock within a stratum that has a distinct composition, esp of fossils, by which the stratum may be dated
5.	A horizon B horizon See C horizon a layer in a soil profile having particular characteristics
6.	on the horizon likely or about to happen or appear

[C14: from Latin, from Greek horizōn kuklos limiting circle, from horizein to limit, from horos limit]

ho'rizonless

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

horizon

late 14c., from O.Fr. orizon (14c.), earlier orizonte (13c.), from L. horizontem (nom. horizon), from Gk. horizon kyklos "bounding circle," from horizein "bound, limit, divide, separate," from horos "boundary." The h- was restored 17c. in imitation of Latin. Horizontal (1550s) originally meant "relating

EXPAND

to or near the horizon," later (1638) parallel to it, "flat."

COLLAPSE

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage

Science Dictionary

horizon

(hə-rī'zən) Pronunciation Key

1. The apparent intersection of the Earth and sky as seen by an observer. Also called apparent horizon.
2. See celestial horizon.
3. See sensible horizon.
4. A specific position in a stratigraphic column, such as the location of one or more fossils, that serves to identify the stratum with a particular period.
5. A specific layer of soil or subsoil in a vertical cross-section of land.
Geology
1. A specific position in a stratigraphic column, such as the location of one or more fossils, that serves to identify the stratum with a particular period.
2. A specific layer of soil or subsoil in a vertical cross-section of land.
Archaeology A period during which the influence of a particular culture spread rapidly over a defined area.

American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

horizon

see on the horizon.

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on the horizon

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"A language is therefore a horizon, and style a vertical dimension, which together map out for the writer a Nature, since he does not choose either. The language functions negatively, as the initial limit of the possible, style is a Necessity which binds the writer's humour to his form of expression. In the former, he finds a familiar History, in the latter, a familiar personal past. In both cases he deals with a Nature, that is, a familiar repertory of gestures, a gestuary, as it were, in which the energy expended is purely operative, serving here to enumerate, there to transform, but never to appraise or signify a choice."

-Roland Barthes

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Horizon

ho·ri·zon