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.
Behaviors associated with autism, such as rigid thinking, unusual eye contact, or difficulty expressing emotion, are often mistaken for arrogance, deceit, manipulation, or a lack of remorse. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 Some of the hallmark characteristics of autism are the tendencies to avoid looking at other’s faces and making less eye contact. — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026 The complete setup is big enough to block actors’ line of sight, sometimes preventing them from keeping eye contact with their scene partners. — Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026 The episode is like a hothouse of feeling with every line delivery, moment of eye contact, and glancing touch landing humid and heavy. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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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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