diffraction

noun

dif·​frac·​tion di-ˈfrak-shən 

: a modification which light undergoes especially in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow openings and in which the rays appear to be deflected

also : a similar modification of other waves (such as sound waves) or of moving particles (such as electrons)

Examples of diffraction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1937, Clinton Davisson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of electron diffraction in what became known as the Davisson-Germer experiment. —Michael Posner, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

The bright spot of gold at the center is a galaxy, with diffraction spikes captured by the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2024

Orion works by overlaying virtual information over a user’s view by using light diffraction to create holographic projections in their field of view. —Esat Dedezade, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Zooming in on bright cosmic lights The team was intrigued when Hubble picked up on three optical diffraction spikes in a concentrated region of the MCG-03-34-64 galaxy. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin diffrāctiōn-, diffrāctiō (Medieval Latin, "action of breaking in pieces"), from Latin diffrag-, variant stem of diffringere, diffrangere "to break up, break apart, shatter" (from dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis- + frangere "to break") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at break entry 1

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing diffraction

• diffraction grating
• X-ray diffraction

Kids Definition

diffraction

noun

dif·​frac·​tion dif-ˈrak-shən 

: the bending or spreading of a beam of light especially when passing through a narrow opening or by the edge of an object

also : similar changes in other waves (as sound waves)

Medical Definition

diffraction

noun

dif·​frac·​tion dif-ˈrak-shən 

: a modification which light undergoes in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits or in being reflected from ruled surfaces and in which the rays appear to be deflected and to produce fringes of parallel light and dark or colored bands

also : a similar modification of other waves (as sound waves)