wavelength
noun
wave·length
ˈwāv-ˌleŋ(k)th 
1
: the distance in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next point of corresponding phase
2
: a particular course or line of thought especially as related to mutual understanding
two people on different wavelengths
Examples of wavelength in a Sentence
Light and sound have different wavelengths.
Recent Examples on the Web
This color comes from the sunlight that passes through the atmosphere, which scatters blue rays away and allows red wavelengths to pass through it and into the shadow of the Earth.
—
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Hydrogen in a gas cloud, for example, emits light at very specific wavelengths, though generally most is at 656 nanometers (in the red part of the spectrum).
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2025
Long wavelengths of sunlight are refracted through Earth's atmosphere before reaching the moon, which reflects them in reddish hues that may resemble the color of blood.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025
This expansion affects light wavelengths emanating from cosmic objects of interest, like stars, that travel toward our detectors on Earth.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wavelength
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Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Hydrogen in a gas cloud, for example, emits light at very specific wavelengths, though generally most is at 656 nanometers (in the red part of the spectrum).
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2025
Long wavelengths of sunlight are refracted through Earth's atmosphere before reaching the moon, which reflects them in reddish hues that may resemble the color of blood.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025
This expansion affects light wavelengths emanating from cosmic objects of interest, like stars, that travel toward our detectors on Earth.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wavelength
Cite this Entry
“Wavelength.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wavelength. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wavelength
noun
wave·length
ˈwāv-ˌleŋ(k)th
1
: the distance (as from crest to crest) in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next corresponding point
2
: a certain line of thought or behavior that reveals a common understanding
coworkers who are on the same wavelength
Medical Definition
wavelength
noun
wave·length
-ˌleŋ(k)th
: the distance in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next point of corresponding phase
—symbol λ
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