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

Webb’s NIRCam and MIRI instruments produced dramatically different views of the object, showing how different infrared wavelengths can reveal different components of the same stellar death scene. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026

Radio waves have wavelengths much longer than what human eyes can see. — Olivia Harper Wilkins, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026

As sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the lunar surface, blue light is scattered away while red wavelengths continue onward, bathing the moon in pinkish, copper and crimson tones. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

As sunlight passes through the edges of Earth’s atmosphere, shorter blue wavelengths scatter away while the atmosphere bends the remaining red and orange light towards the moon. — Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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