Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Doppler broadening

noun
Dopp·​ler broadening | \ˈdäplə(r)-\

Definition of Doppler broadening 

: a lack of sharpness in the spectrum lines of gases due to the Doppler effect of the random thermal motion of the molecules

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Doppler broadening

after Christian J. Doppler †1853 Austrian physicist

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Doppler broadening

Share Doppler broadening

Statistics for Doppler broadening

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Doppler broadening

What made you want to look up Doppler broadening? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

susurrous

full of whispering sounds

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games