Meaning

(ophthalmology, technology, science of reading) A rapid movement of the eye (either voluntary or involuntary) from one focus to another. (Often described as a jerky movement, but this word denotes all such quick eye movements, which happen continually, not just exaggerated or weird ones, and not nystagmus.).

Definitions by Sense

1. (ophthalmology, technology, science of reading) A rapid movement of the eye (either voluntary or involuntary) from one focus to another. (Often described as a jerky movement, but this word denotes all such quick eye movements, which happen continually, not just exaggerated or weird ones, and not nystagmus.)
2. The act of checking a horse quickly with a single strong pull of the reins.
3. (music) The sounding of two violin strings together by using a sudden strong pressure of the bow.
4. (rare) Any sudden jerking movement.
5. (of the eye, intransitive) To make a rapid jerking movement to focus elsewhere.

Example Sentences

He added the bill with a single saccade of his pulsing eyes.

Then 130 milliseconds or thousandths of a second later, each made a "saccade" - an extremely fast eye movement - to roughly where the ball was likely to bounce.

He paused, looking at me intently, his black-flecked eyes scanning my face in quick saccades.

Word Forms

• saccades
• saccading
• saccaded

Related Words

When Should You Use Saccade?

Use saccade when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions