diffraction

American  

[dih-frak-shuhn] / dɪˈfræk ʃən /

noun

Physics.

1. the phenomenon exhibited by wave fronts that, passing the edge of an opaque body, are modulated, thereby causing a redistribution of energy within the front: it is detectable in light waves by the presence of a pattern of closely spaced dark and light bands diffraction pattern at the edge of a shadow.

2. the bending of waves, especially sound and light waves, around obstacles in their path.

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diffraction British  

/ dɪˈfrækʃən /

noun

1. physics a deviation in the direction of a wave at the edge of an obstacle in its path

2. any phenomenon caused by diffraction and interference of light, such as the formation of light and dark fringes by the passage of light through a small aperture

3. deflection of sound waves caused by an obstacle or by nonhomogeneity of a medium

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diffraction Scientific  

/ dĭ-frăk′shən /

1. The bending and spreading of a wave, such as a light wave, around the edge of an object.

2. See more at wave

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diffraction Cultural  

1. The breaking up of an incoming wave by some sort of geometrical structure — for example, a series of slits — followed by reconstruction of the wave by interference. Diffraction of light is characterized by alternate bands of light and dark or bands of different colors.

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Etymology

Origin of diffraction

1665–75; < New Latin diffrāctiōn- (stem of diffrāctiō ) a breaking up, equivalent to Latin diffrāct ( us ) broken up (past participle of diffringere ) + -iōn- -ion. See dif-, fraction

Explanation

Diffraction is the process of light bending around an obstacle or spreading out after it moves through a small space. If you study physics, you'll learn about the diffraction of light waves. Any kind of wave can experience diffraction, including sound, radio, and water. It's most common to hear about the diffraction of light, which can be seen in the reflection of an image through a pinhole camera or the bright ring of light around the sun or the moon. The root of diffraction is the Latin word diffringere, "break into pieces," from dis, "apart," and frangere, "to break."

Example Sentences

This effectively compressed the light into a region much smaller than its wavelength, allowing it to bypass the diffraction limit and reveal much finer details.

From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026

Instead of focusing light through glass, the system uses an array of coded sensors placed at different locations within a diffraction plane.

From Science Daily • Jan. 10, 2026

Watson became fascinated by the new technique of diffraction whereby X-rays were bounced off atoms to reveal their inner structures.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

There, he became interested in the new technique of diffraction, in which X-rays were bounced off atoms to reveal their inner structures.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

The next scientific step was to compare seriously the experimental X-ray data with the diffraction pattern predicted by our model.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

Related Words

• emission