ultraviolet

American  

[uhl-truh-vahy-uh-lit] / ˌʌl trəˈvaɪ ə lɪt /

adjective

1. beyond the violet in the spectrum, corresponding to light having wavelengths shorter than 4000 angstrom units.

2. pertaining to, producing, or utilizing light having such wavelengths.

   an ultraviolet lamp.

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noun

1. ultraviolet radiation.

ultraviolet British  

/ ˌʌltrəˈvaɪəlɪt /

noun

1. the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths shorter than light but longer than X-rays; in the range 0.4 × 10 ^–6 and 1 × 10 ^–8 metres

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adjective

1.  UV.  of, relating to, or consisting of radiation lying in the ultraviolet

   ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet Scientific  

/ ŭl′trə-vī′ə-lĭt /

1. Relating to electromagnetic radiation having frequencies higher than those of visible light but lower than those of x-rays, approximately 10 ¹⁵ –10 ¹⁶ hertz. Some animals, such as bees, are capable of seeing ultraviolet radiation invisible to the human eye.

2. See more at electromagnetic spectrum

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1. Ultraviolet light or the ultraviolet part of the spectrum.

2. See Note at infrared

Etymology

Origin of ultraviolet

First recorded in 1870–75; ultra- + violet

Compare meaning

How does ultraviolet compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• infrared vs. ultraviolet

Example Sentences

In what would normally be the ultraviolet region, the spectrum showed a very steep rise.

From Science Daily

In early 2024, media reported that Nestle Waters, which also owns the Vittel and Contrex brands, had used banned processes to improve its quality, including ultraviolet treatment and activated carbon filters.

From Barron's

Yet even after adjusting for ultraviolet radiation levels in Pennsylvania and considering socioeconomic factors, two consistent associations emerged.

From Science Daily

The U.S. has banned the sale of tools known as extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, which inscribe silicon wafers with microscopic patterns filled by billions of transistors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Chris and colleagues propose that this difference allows ultraviolet radiation to push material more efficiently, generating the much faster winds seen near supermassive black holes.

From Science Daily