eye contact

noun

: visual contact with another person's eyes

Examples of eye contact in a Sentence

He maintained eye contact with me throughout the conversation. The speaker made eye contact with audience members. The jury avoided eye contact with the defendant as the verdict was read.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the tip bucket was passed around, patrons reached for their wallets, not avoided eye contact. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 Girls tend to be more adept at mimicking social responses like eye contact and reciprocal play. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 That pertness should be unbearable, but the scene is written in a minor key and performed by both actors to match, favouring eye contact and murmurs; the sheer brevity prevents it from becoming gloopy or crass. — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 The players either dramatically make or subtly avoid eye contact with one another as the song builds to an epic crescendo, complete with eerie chanting, orchestral bombast, and booming timpani drums. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eye contact

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eye contact was in 1942

Rhymes for eye contact

See All Rhymes for eye contact

Browse Nearby Words

eye color
eye contact
eyecup
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eye contact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eye%20contact. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

eye contact

noun
: the act of looking another person straight in the eye

Medical Definition

eye contact

noun
: visual contact with another person's eyes
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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