A sightingof something, especially something unusual or unexpected is an occasion on which it is seen.
...the sighting of a rare sea bird at Lundy island. [+ of]
The National Weather Service has reported several tornado sightings in Illinois.
sighting in British English
(ˈsaɪtɪŋ)
noun
1.
an occasion on which something is seen
2. Another name for sight (sense 10)
sighting in American English
(saɪtɪŋ)
noun
an observation, often of something rare or unusual
Examples of 'sighting' in a sentence
sighting
Since then there have been many mysterious sightings.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
One explanation for these sightings is the rare atmospheric phenomenon of a halo and a sun pillar.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
My contribution is to place my own name alongside the rare sea sightings.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But many sightings are not reported.
The Sun (2014)
There have been multiple possible sightings.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Perhaps recent London sightings are of birds that have spread out from there.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Such sightings are rare in African fiction.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She has been appointed to oversee an inquiry in Malta sparked by the five possible sightings.
The Sun (2007)
In the weeks that followed, there were fruitless leads and possible sightings.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
How many UFO sightings can be logically explained?
The Sun (2012)
Already this summer there have been many sightings in the UK.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Britain became a favoured UFO landing strip, with hundreds and then thousands of reported sightings.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Of course, the files contain many sightings reported by well-meaning members of the public that turnedout to be simply weather balloons or light aircraft.
The Sun (2013)
In other languages
sighting
British English: sighting NOUN
A sighting of something, especially something unusual or unexpected is an occasion on which it is seen.
...the sighting of a rare sea bird on the island.
American English: sighting
Brazilian Portuguese: ocasião em que se avista algo (geralmente raro ou especial)
Chinese: 见到
European Spanish: avistamiento
French: cas
German: Sichten
Italian: avvistamento
Japanese: 目撃
Korean: 목격
European Portuguese: ocasião em que se avista algo (geralmente raro ou especial)