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

Earth’s atmosphere scatters away much of the blue light while bending red and orange wavelengths into the shadow. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Three return light at multiple wavelengths, which indicate an uneven electric field around them. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026

To capture this incredible composite view of the galaxy, astronomers combined near and mid-infrared wavelength observations made by JWST and ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared observations made by Hubble. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Three of the tests used different wavelengths of light to excite the chemical components and sift out identifying signatures from their glow. — Mike McRae 17, New Atlas, 17 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