视力 (shì lì) literally combines 视 (shì), meaning 'to see' or 'vision', and 力 (lì), meaning 'strength' or 'capacity'. Together, they form the noun 'eyesight' or 'visual acuity' — referring to the physiological ability of the eyes to perceive detail, clarity, color, and movement. It is a medical and everyday term used in health checkups, optometry, education, and daily conversation when discussing eye health or reading ability.

This word is neutral in register and commonly appears in contexts like school vision screenings, driver’s license requirements, or discussions about screen time effects on children’s eyes. Unlike more technical terms like 视敏度 (shì mǐn dù, 'visual acuity'), 视力 is widely understood by all age groups and frequently appears on forms, reports, and public health notices. It does not refer to eyesight in metaphorical or abstract senses — it always denotes physical visual function.