Main Entry: spec·trum

Pronunciation: \ˈspek-trəm\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural spec·tra \-trə\ or spectrums

1 a : a continuum of color formed when a beam of white light is dispersed (as by passage through a prism) so that its component wavelengths are arranged in order b : any of various continua that resemble a spectrum in consisting of an ordered arrangement by a particular characteristic (as frequency or energy): as (1) : electromagnetic spectrum (2) : mass spectrum c : the representation (as a plot) of a spectrum
2 : a continuous sequence or range ; specifically : a range of effectiveness against pathogenic organisms <an antibiotic with a broad spectrum>