Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Doppler shift

noun

Definition of Doppler shift 

1 : a change in frequency of an electromagnetic radiation caused by the motions of the atoms, molecules, or nuclei in the line of sight

2 : the slight displacement in the positions of the spectrum lines of light from a star or other celestial body due to the Doppler effect

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 shift

after C.J.Doppler

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Doppler shift

Share Doppler shift

Resources for Doppler shift

Cite Time Traveler Time Traveler! Explore the year a word first appeared

Dictionary Entries near Doppler shift

dopplerite

Doppler navigation

Doppler radar

Doppler shift

dops

dopster

dop stick

Statistics for Doppler shift

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Doppler shift

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

superjacent

lying above or upon

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

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