wavelength

American  

[weyv-lengkth, -length, -lenth] / ˈweɪvˌlɛŋkθ, -ˌlɛŋθ, -ˌlɛnθ /

Or wave length

noun

1. Physics. the distance, measured in the direction of propagation of a wave, between two successive points in the wave that are characterized by the same phase of oscillation.

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idioms

1. on the same wavelength, in sympathy or rapport.

   We seemed to be on the same wavelength from the moment we met.

wavelength British  

/ ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθ /

noun

1.  λ.  the distance, measured in the direction of propagation, between two points of the same phase in consecutive cycles of a wave

2. the wavelength of the carrier wave used by a particular broadcasting station

3. informal having similar views, feelings, or thoughts (as someone else)

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wavelength Scientific  

/ wāv′lĕngkth′ /

1. The distance between one peak or crest of a wave and the next peak or crest. It is equal to the speed of the wave divided by its frequency, and to the speed of a wave times its period.

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wavelength Cultural  

1. The distance between crests (or troughs) of a wave.

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Etymology

Origin of wavelength

First recorded in 1855–60; wave + length

Example Sentences

During a transit, some of the starlight passes through any atmosphere surrounding the planet and certain wavelengths are absorbed.

From Science Daily

Future versions of the device may incorporate more LEDs, smaller spacing between them, larger arrays covering more cortex and wavelengths of light that penetrate deeper into tissue.

From Science Daily

Radiation in the expanding universe gradually lost energy as its wavelengths stretched with spacetime.

From Science Daily

"For applications like biomedical sensing or optical communications, you want a very sharp, specific wavelength. Our devices achieve this effortlessly, something that is very difficult to do with other materials."

From Science Daily

XLight’s lasers are targeting much more precise wavelengths, of down to 2 nanometers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• acumen
• intuition
• judgment
• observation
• understanding
• vision
• wisdom