sighting

The act of seeing, observing, or detecting something, especially something notable, rare, sought after, or targeted; also refers to the technical process of aligning instruments or weapons with a specific point of reference.

ruНаблюдение, обнаружение, встреча - акт видения или фиксации чего-либо, особенно редкого, необычного или целевого объектаesAvistamiento, detección o encuentro: el acto de ver o registrar algo, especialmente algo raro, inusual o un objeto buscado.frAction de voir ou de repérer quelque chose, en particulier un objet rare, inhabituel ou ciblé; observation ou rencontre visuelle.deSichtung, Beobachtung oder Entdeckung - das Sehen oder Feststellen von etwas, besonders eines seltenen, ungewöhnlichen oder gesuchten Objekts.ptAto de ver ou avistar algo, especialmente algo raro, incomum ou procurado; o registro ou a observação desse avistamento.zh观察、发现或遇到某事物（尤指罕见、不寻常或目标对象）的行为。arمشاهدة أو رصد أو لقاء - فعل رؤية شيء ما أو تسجيله، لا سيما إذا كان نادراً أو غير عادي أو مستهدفاً.

1. Observation of something rare, unusual, or sought after B2 formal scientific

   An instance of seeing or detecting a phenomenon, creature, person, or object that is uncommon, elusive, or of particular interest. Often documented by witnesses, researchers, or enthusiasts for scientific, recreational, or media purposes.

   • Researchers documented several rare bird observations during the migration season.
   • Enthusiasts gathered reports of unidentified aerial phenomena from multiple locations.
   • The national park recorded an increase in wildlife detections after habitat restoration.
   • Celebrity appearances in public places often attract media attention and fan excitement.
   • Marine biologists celebrated the first confirmed observation of the species in these waters.

   ruНаблюдение редкого объекта, обнаружение, встречаesavistamiento de algo raro o buscadofrobservationdeSichtung, Beobachtung eines seltenen ObjektsptAvistamento, observação de algo rarozh罕见事物的目击、发现、遇见arمشاهدة نادرة، رصد، لقاء

   Synonyms: detectionglimpseobservationspotting

2. Technical alignment of instruments or weapons with a target C1 formal technical

   The precise process of adjusting optical devices, firearms, or surveying equipment so that their aiming mechanism corresponds accurately with a designated point or object. Critical for accuracy in military, sporting, or professional applications.

   • The sniper verified the rifle's calibration before attempting the long-range shot.
   • Surveyors adjusted their theodolite to ensure precise angular measurements.
   • Archery competitors check their bow sights before each round of competition.
   • Naval gunners practiced target acquisition procedures during training exercises.
   • Astronomers aligned their telescopes using reference stars for optimal viewing.

   ruПрицеливание, наведение, калибровка прицелаespunteríafrVisée (alignement technique)deZielausrichtung, Visierung, JustierungptMira, alinhamento, calibração de mirazh瞄准校准arتسديد الأجهزة والأسلحة نحو الهدف

   Synonyms: adjustmentalignment

3. Navigation: determining position by observing landmarks or celestial bodies C1 formal technical

   The maritime or aviation practice of establishing one's location by visually identifying and measuring angles to known reference points such as lighthouses, mountains, stars, or other navigational aids.

   • The captain confirmed the vessel's position using coastal landmarks and celestial navigation.
   • Pilots cross-referenced ground features with their charts during visual flight conditions.
   • Historical explorers relied on stellar observations to traverse uncharted oceans.
   • Modern systems supplement traditional methods but visual confirmation remains valuable.
   • Training programs emphasize fundamental techniques for emergency navigation scenarios.

   ruОриентирование, визуальное определение положения, навигационное наблюдениеesObservación para determinar la posiciónfrRelèvement (navigation)deOrtsbestimmung, visuelle Standortbestimmung, NavigationsbeobachtungptDeterminação de posição por observação visualzh目视定位，航海观测定位arتحديد الموقع بالرصد

   Synonyms: bearingfixobservationreadingsight

4. Reported appearance of supernatural or unexplained phenomena B2 informal

   An account or claim of witnessing entities, events, or occurrences that fall outside conventional scientific explanation, often shared through personal testimony, media reports, or investigative documentation.

   • Local folklore includes numerous accounts of mysterious lights in the forest.
   • Investigators collected witness statements about unusual atmospheric phenomena.
   • Documentary filmmakers explored regions known for frequent unexplained reports.
   • Skeptics and believers continue to debate the interpretation of such accounts.
   • Researchers emphasize the importance of verifiable evidence when evaluating claims.

   ruСообщение о сверхъестественном, наблюдение необъяснимого, зафиксированное явлениеesavistamiento de fenómenos paranormalesfrobservation d'un phénomène inexpliquédeSichtung übernatürlicher Phänomeneptavistamento de fenômeno sobrenaturalzh超自然现象目击报告arمشاهدة ظاهرة خارقة للطبيعة

5. Initial visual contact with a destination or objective B2 formal

   The moment when a traveler, explorer, or vessel first comes within visual range of a planned destination, landmark, or goal after a period of journeying without direct visual confirmation.

   • After weeks at sea, the crew celebrated their first view of land on the horizon.
   • The expedition team felt renewed motivation upon spotting the mountain peak.
   • Pilots announced visual contact with the runway during final approach procedures.
   • Historical journals describe the emotional impact of first seeing new territories.
   • Search and rescue operations prioritize establishing visual confirmation of missing persons.

   ruПервое визуальное обнаружение, появление в поле зрения, визуальный контактesavistamiento del destinofrAperçu de la destinationdeErstsichtung, Sichten, visueller KontaktptAvistamentozh首次发现目标，进入视野，视觉接触arالرؤية الأولى، الظهور في مجال البصر، الاتصال البصري

   Synonyms: landfall

   Antonyms: lossmiss

• sightings plural form

A verb used to indicate the act of seeing or observing something, especially after searching or from a distance.

ruГлагол, используемый для обозначения акта видения или наблюдения за чем-либо, особенно после поиска или с расстояния.esVerbo que se refiere al acto de ver u observar algo, especialmente después de buscarlo o desde una distancia. También puede indicar el hecho de avistar o divisar un objetivo o punto de referencia.frVerbe signifiant apercevoir ou observer quelque chose, surtout après l'avoir cherché ou à distance.deVerb, das den Akt des Sehens oder Beobachtens bezeichnet, besonders nachdem man gesucht hat oder aus der Entfernung.ptVerbo usado para indicar o ato de ver ou observar algo, especialmente depois de procurar ou à distância; também pode significar avistar ou enxergar algo que se procurava.zh动词，表示看见或观察到某物，尤指在寻找之后或从远处看到。arفعل يُستخدم للدلالة على رؤية شيء ما أو ملاحظته، وخاصةً بعد البحث عنه أو من مسافة بعيدة.

1. To see or observe B2 formal

   To see something, especially after looking for it or from a distance.

   • The sailors sighted land after weeks at sea.
   • The lookout sighted a ship on the horizon.
   • We sighted a rare bird during our hike.

   ruЗаметитьesdivisar / avistarfrapercevoirdeErblickenptAvistarzh看见arرأى

   Synonyms: discernespyglimpsenoticeobserveperceivespotspy

   Antonyms: ignoremissoverlook

2. To aim or align B2 formal

   To look at something through a sight (e.g., on a gun or telescope) to aim or align.

   • He sighted the target through the rifle scope.
   • The surveyor sighted the distant point with his instrument.
   • She sighted along the edge of the board to check if it was straight.

   ruПрицелитьсяesApuntar (con un arma o instrumento óptico)frviser avec un viseurdeAnvisierenptMirarzh瞄准arالتصويب عبر المنظار

   Synonyms: aimaligndraw a bead ontake aimtargetzero in

• sighted past participle
• sighted past simple
• sighting present participle
• sights third person singular