seeing

UK: /ˈsiːɪŋ/ US: /ˈsiɪŋ/ ,(sē′ing)

From the verb see: (⇒ conjugate)

seeing is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

see•ing /ˈsiɪŋ/   conj. 

1. considering;
   inasmuch as:
   Seeing (that) you're on a diet, we won't have dessert.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

see•ing  (sē′ing), conj. 

1. in view of the fact that;
   considering;
   inasmuch as.

n. 

2. the act of a person who sees.
3. the sense of sight.

• see¹ + -ing² 1495–1505

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

seeing / ˈsiːɪŋ/ noun

1. the sense or faculty of sight; vision
2. the quality of the observing conditions (esp the turbulence of the atmosphere) during an astronomical observation

conjunction

1. (subordinating) often followed by that: in light of the fact (that); inasmuch as; since

USAGE
The use of seeing as how as in seeing as (how) the bus is always late, I don't need to hurry is generally thought to be incorrect or non-standard

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

see¹ /si/   v., saw/sɔ/  seen/sin/  see•ing. 
v. 

1. to view (something) with the eyes;
   look at: [~ + object]
   [not: be + ~-ing] I saw her in the park.
   [~ + object + verb-ing]
   I saw her running in the park.
   [~ + object + root form of verb]
   I saw him shoot the police officer.
2. to have the power of sight:
   [not: be + ~-ing* no object] He can't see; he's been blind from birth.
3. to view, as a spectator:
   [~ + object] I saw a good movie last night.
4. Electronics to scan or view, esp. by electronic means:
   [not: be + ~-ing* ~ + object] When the electronic eye sees you, the door opens automatically.
5. to grasp (things) mentally;
   to understand: [~ + object]
   [not: be + ~-ing] I see your point.
   [~ + clause]
   I see that you meant it; sorry I doubted you.
   [no object]
   Don't you see; we want to help you!
6. to form a mental image of: [~ + object]
   [not: be + ~-ing] I can't see him as president.
   [~ + object + verb-ing]
   I can't see him running things.
7. to imagine or believe that one sees something:
   [~ + object] You must be seeing things; there's nothing here.
8. to be aware of;
   recognize:
   [not: be + ~-ing] to see his mistakes.
9. (used as a polite request to draw the attention of someone to something):
   [no object] See, here it comes.
10. to discover;
    find out: [~ + object]
    [not: be + ~-ing] See who is at the door.
    [no object]
    If you don't believe me, then here, see for yourself.
11. to read or read about: [~ + object]
    [not: be + ~-ing] I saw it in the newspaper.
    [~ + that clause]
    I saw in the newspaper that your store carries these computers.
12. to have knowledge or experience of:
    [~ + object] to see combat.
13. [~ + that clause] to make sure:
    See that the door is locked.
    Compare see to below.
14. to meet and converse with;
    visit:
    [~ + object] Why don't you come and see me?
15. to receive (someone) as a visitor:
    [~ + object] not allowed to see anyone until after the operation.
16. to court or date frequently:
    [~ + object] We've been seeing each other for the last year.
17. to escort or accompany:
    [~ + object] It's late; why don't I see you home.
18. (used with the subject pronouns I and we, or after let and the object pronouns me or us, to indicate a pause) to think;
    consider:
    [no object] Let me see, what was his name? Let's see; does this round peg fit in the square hole?
19. see about, [~ + about + object]
    • to inquire about;
      investigate:
      It's his job to see about what his teachers are doing.
    • Also, see after. to take care of;
      to attend to:
      Let me see about that and I'll call you back.
20. see off, to accompany (someone about to go on a journey) to the place of departure: [~ + off + object]
    We went to the airport to see off my aunt and uncle.
    [~ + object + off]
    to see them off.
21. see out, [~ + object + out] to escort to an outer door:
    He saw her out the door with a smile.
22. see through:
    • [~ + through + object] to figure out the nature of (someone), esp. to detect or discover a lie:
      saw right through his excuses.
    • [~ + object + through] to remain with until completion:
      Don't quit now; let's see this job through.
23. see to, [~ + to + object] to take care of;
    attend to;
    see about:
    I'll see to all the travel arrangements.

Idioms

24. Idioms see red, [Informal.] to become enraged:
    He saw red when he found that he'd have to pay once again for the same repairs.

Usage

Compare the words see and look. The verb look refers to a much more active sense in which the subject uses the eyes, moves them, turns the head, and generally participates more in the action:
I looked at the people rushing by (= I moved my eyes, perhaps even turning my head to observe them).
The verb see is much less active and implies less participation by the subject* with this verb, the image of the object simply strikes the subject's eyes, and the subject does much less:
I saw her standing there (= The image of her standing there simply struck my eyes; I had very little to do with the activity).
Whenever a meaning of a verb implies activity or participation, there is a good chance the progressive aspect ([be + ~-ing] ) may be used:
I was looking at the people rushing by.
I have been seeing her (= dating) for two years.
But when the action of a verb does not imply continuing activity or participation by the subject, the progressive aspect is not used, which is why see so often does not allow the progressive aspect:
I saw her standing there (NOT: I was seeing her...).

see² /si/   n. [countable]

1. Religion the seat, center of authority, or office of a bishop.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

see¹  (sē), v., saw, seen, see•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to perceive with the eyes;
   look at.
2. to view;
   visit or attend as a spectator:
   to see a play.
3. Computing to perceive by means of computer vision.
4. Electronics to scan or view, esp. by electronic means:
   The satellite can see the entire southern half of the country.
5. to perceive (things) mentally;
   discern;
   understand:
   to see the point of an argument.
6. to construct a mental image of;
   visualize:
   He still saw his father as he was 25 years ago.
7. to accept or imagine or suppose as acceptable:
   I can't see him as president.
8. to be cognizant of;
   recognize:
   to see the good in others; to see where the mistake is.
9. to foresee:
   He could see war ahead.
10. to ascertain, learn, or find out:
    See who is at the door.
11. to have knowledge or experience of:
    to see service in the foreign corps.
12. to make sure:
    See that the work is done.
13. to meet and converse with:
    Are you seeing her at lunch today?
14. to receive as a visitor:
    The ambassador finally saw him.
15. to visit:
    He's gone to see his aunt.
16. to court, keep company with, or date frequently:
    They've been seeing each other for a long time.
17. to provide aid or assistance to;
    take care of:
    He's seeing his brother through college.
18. to attend or escort:
    to see someone home.
19. Games [Cards.] to match (a bet) or match the bet of (a bettor) by staking an equal sum;
    call:
    I'll see your five and raise you five more.
20. to prefer (someone or something) to be as indicated (usually used as a mild oath):
    I'll see you in hell before I sell you this house. He'll see the business fail before he admits he's wrong.
21. to read or read about:
    I saw it in the newspaper.

v.i. 

22. to have the power of sight.
23. Computing to be capable of perceiving by means of computer vision.
24. to understand intellectually or spiritually;
    have insight:
    Philosophy teaches us to see.
25. to give attention or care:
    See, there it goes.
26. to find out;
    make inquiry:
    Go and see for yourself.
27. to consider;
    think;
    deliberate:
    Let me see, how does that song go?
28. to look about;
    observe:
    They heard the noise and came out to see.
29. see about:
    • to investigate;
      inquire about.
    • to turn one's attention to;
      take care of:
      He said he would see about getting the license plates.
30. see after, to attend to;
    take care of:
    Will you please see after my plants while I'm away?
31. see off, to take leave of someone setting out on a journey;
    accompany to the place of departure:
    I went to the airport to see them off.
32. see out, to remain with (a task, project, etc.) until its completion:
    We decided to see it out, even if it meant another year.
33. see through:
    • to penetrate to the true nature of;
      comprehend;
      detect:
      He quickly saw through my story.
    • to stay with to the end or until completion;
      persevere:
      to see a difficult situation through.
34. see to, to take care of;
    be responsible for:
    I'll see to the theater tickets.

• bef. 900; Middle English seen, Old English sēon; cognate with Dutch zien, German sehen, Old Norse sjā, Gothic saihwan

see′a•ble, adj. 
see′a•ble•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. observe, notice, distinguish, discern, behold, regard. See watch. 
• 5. comprehend, penetrate.
• 10. determine.
• 11. know, undergo.
• 18. accompany.

see²  (sē), n. [Eccles.]

1. Religion the seat, center of authority, office, or jurisdiction of a bishop.

• Latin sēdes seat
• Old French se (variant of sie)
• Middle English se(e) 1250–1300

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

see / siː/ verb (sees, seeing, saw, seen)

1. to perceive with the eyes
2. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to perceive (an idea) mentally; understand: I explained the problem but he could not see it
3. (transitive) to perceive with any or all of the senses: I hate to see you so unhappy
4. (tr; may take a clause as object) to be aware of in advance; foresee: I can see what will happen if you don't help
5. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to ascertain or find out (a fact); learn: see who is at the door
6. when tr, takes a clause as object; when intr, followed by to: to make sure (of something) or take care (of something): see that she gets to bed early
7. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to consider, deliberate, or decide: see if you can come next week
8. (transitive) to have experience of; undergo: he had seen much unhappiness in his life
9. (transitive) to allow to be in a specified condition: I cannot stand by and see a child in pain
10. (transitive) to be characterized by: this period of history has seen much unrest
11. (transitive) to meet or pay a visit to: to see one's solicitor
12. (transitive) to receive, esp as a guest or visitor: the Prime Minister will see the deputation now
13. (transitive) to frequent the company of: they have been seeing each other for three months
14. (transitive) to accompany or escort: I saw her to the door
15. (transitive) to refer to or look up: for further information, see the appendix
16. (in gambling, esp in poker) to match (another player's bet) or match the bet of (another player) by staking an equal sum
17. as far as I can see ⇒ to the best of my judgment or understanding
18. see fit ⇒ (takes an infinitive) to consider proper, desirable, etc: I don't see fit to allow her to come here
19. see someone hanged first, see someone damned first ⇒ to refuse absolutely to do what one has been asked to do by someone
20. see the light, see the light of day ⇒
    See light124
21. see you, see you later, be seeing you ⇒ an expression of farewell

Etymology: Old English sēon; related to Old Norse sjā, Gothic saihwan, Old Saxon sehan

see / siː/ noun

1. the diocese of a bishop, or the place within it where his or her cathedral or procathedral is situated
   See also Holy See

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French sed, from Latin sēdēs a seat; related to sedēre to sit