# sighting

/ˈsaɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈaɪtɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sighting
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

an occasion when you see something that is rare, unusual, or hard to find. It is often used when talking about wild animals or famous people.

For teachers: an instance of seeing or observing someone or something, especially something rare, elusive, or of particular interest. Often used in the context of wildlife monitoring or unidentified phenomena.

## Examples

- There was a rare sighting of a whale in the bay today.
- Local residents reported a sighting of the escaped tiger near the edge of the forest early this morning.
- While the initial sighting was dismissed as a trick of the light, subsequent photographic evidence confirmed the presence of the endangered bird species in the valley.

## Usage notes

- Frequently paired with adjectives like 'rare', 'brief', or 'confirmed'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.