Horizon

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Horizon

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

huh-RY-zun  /həˈraɪz(ə)n/

Definition

The line at which the earth's surface and the sky appear to meet; the limit of a person's or group's mental perception, experience, or interest; (in geology) a layer of soil or rock with distinctive characteristics.

Plain meaning

The horizon is the line where the sky meets the ground — the edge of what you can see when you look out across a flat landscape or sea. Figuratively, your horizon is the limit of your knowledge, experience, or ambition — to broaden your horizons means to expand your experience and understanding.

Register

Neutral to slightly elevated. Horizon is used in everyday speech, literary and journalistic contexts, philosophy, and science. The figurative uses — horizon of understanding, broaden one's horizons — are slightly more formal and literary than the physical sense.