electromagnetic spectrum

American  

noun

1. the entire spectrum, considered as a continuum, of all kinds of electric, magnetic, and visible radiation, from gamma rays having a wavelength of 0.001 angstrom to long waves having a wavelength of more than 1 million km.

---

electromagnetic spectrum British  

noun

1. the complete range of electromagnetic radiation from the longest radio waves (wavelength 10 ⁵ metres) to the shortest gamma radiation (wavelength 10 ^–13 metre)

---

electromagnetic spectrum Scientific  

1. The entire range of electromagnetic radiation. At one end of the spectrum are gamma rays, which have the shortest wavelengths and high frequencies. At the other end are radio waves, which have the longest wavelengths and low frequencies. Visible light is near the center of the spectrum.

---

electromagnetic spectrum Cultural  

1. The family of electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic spectrum, starting from the waves with the longest wavelengths (and least energy), consists of radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, and gamma radiation. Members of the family differ from one another only in their wavelength, or frequency. For example, the wavelength of blue light is roughly half that of red light, but the waves corresponding to the two colors are otherwise identical.

---

Etymology

Origin of electromagnetic spectrum

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

And even if they are the cause, the sensors would have to be able to pick up signals across a large part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

From New York Times

The competition in the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes everything from radio waves to visible light, is more important than ever before.

From Washington Times

The more it is stretched, the greater its shift towards the longer-wavelength “redder” section of the electromagnetic spectrum.

From Scientific American

The U.S. military has labeled such a strategy "all-domain warfare" and assumes that the U.S. will indeed dominate space, cyberspace, airspace, and the electromagnetic spectrum.

From Salon

Compact, chip-based lasers have conquered much of the electromagnetic spectrum, from ultraviolet to infrared, enabling technologies from digital communications and barcode readers to laser pointers and printers.

From Science Magazine