1.
to make eye contact; for eyes to meet
For two people to look at each other at the same time, resulting in mutual eye contact. Often implies a brief, sometimes significant moment.
彼女と目が合った。
Our eyes met.
電車の中で知らない人と目が合って、気まずかった。
I accidentally made eye contact with a stranger on the train, and it was awkward.
犬と目が合うと、しっぽを振って駆け寄ってきた。
When I made eye contact with the dog, it wagged its tail and ran over to me.
An intransitive expression — the subject does not actively choose to make eye contact; rather, it happens mutually. The particle と marks the other person: ～と目が合う. Often used in romantic contexts to describe a meaningful first glance, or in everyday situations to describe accidental eye contact. Related expressions include 目を合わせる (to deliberately look someone in the eye) and 目をそらす (to look away).