attenuation

noun

at·​ten·​u·​a·​tion ə-ˌten-yə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce attenuation (audio)
-yü-ˈā-
plural attenuations
: the act or process of attenuating something or the state of being attenuated: such as
a
: a lessening in amount, force, magnitude, or value : weakening
Sound can travel thousands of kilometers in this planar acoustic waveguide with little attenuation.David Ritchie
b
: a reduction of severity or virulence : a decrease in the pathogenicity of a microorganism or in the severity of a disease
This virus grew well in tissue culture, with only limited temperature sensitivity as a marker of possible attenuation.Peter F. Wright
c
: diminution of thickness
The detailing of the doorway, the narrowness and attenuation of the columns of the portico, and most especially the paneling and ornamentation in the interior … bespeak the neoclassical, somewhat similar to the plaster work found in Baltimore interiors.Jessie Poesch

Examples of attenuation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Reaching advanced civilizations beyond the moon involves addressing the immense distances between stars, signal attenuation and current technological limits. Franck Marchis, Scientific American, 20 July 2024 Obviously, atmospheric attenuation poses a problem for using terahertz frequencies for long-range communication and radar. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2024 And there are also benefits in terms of overall insertion loss—the attenuation of the signal due to material properties—using a standard packaging substrate instead of a silicon interposer. IEEE Spectrum, 12 Apr. 2019 So, as frequency increased, attenuation also increased. Erica Huang, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for attenuation 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attenuation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attenuation was in 1559

Dictionary Entries Near attenuation

Cite this Entry

“Attenuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attenuation. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

attenuation

noun
at·​ten·​u·​a·​tion ə-ˌten-yə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce attenuation (audio)
: a decrease in the pathogenicity or vitality of a microorganism or in the severity of a disease

Legal Definition

attenuation

noun
at·​ten·​u·​a·​tion ə-ˌten-yu̇-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce attenuation (audio)
: a lessening of the amount, force, or magnitude of something
specifically : a weakening of the connection between an illegal police procedure and the evidence obtained by it such that the evidence is admissible at trial as an exception to the exclusionary rule
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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