visa

1 of 2

noun

vi·sa ˈvē-zə

also

-sə

: an endorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities denoting that it has been examined and that the bearer may proceed

: a signature of formal approval by a superior upon a document

visa

2 of 2

verb

visaed ˈvē-zəd

-səd

; visaing ˈvē-zə-iŋ

-sə-

transitive verb

: to give a visa to (a passport)

Examples of visa in a Sentence

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.

Noun

Shyshov said his partner filed an asylum application before her student visa expired in March 2023. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026 Immigration officials point to a sharp increase in visas submitted under the Violence Against Women Act as a sign of possible fraud. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Verb

China is also expecting an increase in foreign visitors, bucking a traditional slowdown during the holiday, thanks in part to visa exemptions, Caixin reported. — Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 12 Feb. 2026 Low-quality scientific research produced for resume padding isn't an activity exclusive to visa applicants, according to researchers at Northwestern University and The University of Sydney. — Julia Ingram, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for visa

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Latin, neuter plural of visus, past participle

First Known Use

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of visa was in 1831

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Vis

visa

visage

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Visa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visa. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

visa

1 of 2 noun

vi·sa ˈvē-zə

also

-sə

: a mark on a passport that is a sign of approval and permission for a traveler to go ahead

visa

2 of 2 verb

visaed -zəd

-səd

; visaing -zə-iŋ

-sə-

: to give a visa to

Legal Definition

visa

noun

vi·sa ˈvē-zə, -sə

: an endorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities denoting that it has been examined and that the bearer may proceed

visa

noun

verb

Examples of visa in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

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visa

noun

verb

Examples of visa in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing visa

Rhymes for visa

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on visa

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