diffraction
noun
dif·frac·tion
di-ˈfrak-shən 
: a modification which light undergoes especially in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow openings and in which the rays appear to be deflected
also
: a similar modification of other waves (such as sound waves) or of moving particles (such as electrons)
Examples of diffraction in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1937, Clinton Davisson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of electron diffraction in what became known as the Davisson-Germer experiment.
—
Michael Posner, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
The bright spot of gold at the center is a galaxy, with diffraction spikes captured by the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2024
Orion works by overlaying virtual information over a user’s view by using light diffraction to create holographic projections in their field of view.
—Esat Dedezade, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Zooming in on bright cosmic lights The team was intrigued when Hubble picked up on three optical diffraction spikes in a concentrated region of the MCG-03-34-64 galaxy.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for diffraction 
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Michael Posner, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
The bright spot of gold at the center is a galaxy, with diffraction spikes captured by the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2024
Orion works by overlaying virtual information over a user’s view by using light diffraction to create holographic projections in their field of view.
—Esat Dedezade, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Zooming in on bright cosmic lights The team was intrigued when Hubble picked up on three optical diffraction spikes in a concentrated region of the MCG-03-34-64 galaxy.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for diffraction
Dictionary Entries Near diffraction
Cite this Entry
“Diffraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diffraction. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diffraction
noun
dif·frac·tion
dif-ˈrak-shən
: the bending or spreading of a beam of light especially when passing through a narrow opening or by the edge of an object
also
: similar changes in other waves (as sound waves)
Medical Definition
diffraction
noun
dif·frac·tion
dif-ˈrak-shən
: a modification which light undergoes in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits or in being reflected from ruled surfaces and in which the rays appear to be deflected and to produce fringes of parallel light and dark or colored bands
also
: a similar modification of other waves (as sound waves)
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