sighting

Everyday

1. A sighting is an occasion when someone sees something rare, unusual or wanted: a bird, a whale, a UFO or a missing person. tree →
2. «Sighting» is also the -ing form of «sight» (to see or catch sight of), or of aiming a gun or telescope (sighting it). tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons, birdwatchers record sightings of birds in a log; scientists count sightings to see if animals are rare. In news, police ask for sightings of a missing person or animal. In stories, «UFO sightings» and «ghost sightings» are unproven reports. Phrases: «a rare sighting», «reported sightings», «first sighting», «UFO sighting».

Examples

• There was a rare sighting of a kingfisher by the river. tree →
• Our class recorded ten bird sightings in one hour. tree →
• Police asked for any sightings of the missing dog. tree →
• The first sighting of land made the sailors cheer. tree →
• There have been many UFO sightings, but none has been proved. tree →
• The tally chart showed sightings of each bird. tree →

Note

Countable. A sighting is a report that someone saw something; it is not proof. Do not confuse with «siting» (choosing the place for something) or «citing» (quoting), which sound the same. In tally and data problems, each sighting counts as one.