see the day

English

Verb

see the day (third-person singular simple present sees the day, present participle seeing the day, simple past saw the day, past participle seen the day)

1. (followed by a clause) To experience in one's lifetime.

   I don't know if I'll ever see the day when that bully will apologize for all the times he wronged me.

   I hope to see the day that finding virus vaccines is routine and quick.

   Will we ever again see the day of full churches?

Usage notes

• The clauses following the verb qualify the day. They are of the type introduced by that or when, in which that can be omitted.

See also

• see the light of day

Further reading

• “see the day”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “live to see the day” (US) / “live to see the day” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.