diffraction

noun

dif·frac·tion di-ˈfrak-shən $How to pronounce diffraction (audio)$

: 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)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Other galaxies can be seen surrounding the cluster, as well as foreground stars with signatory diffraction spikes. —

Julia Musto, Fox News, 11 May 2023 Introducing this additional medium served to increase the total amount of scattering the light experienced and created a greater range of diffraction angles. —

IEEE Spectrum, 21 Apr. 2023 This brilliant luminosity creates the diffraction spikes, or starburst feature witnessed by Webb. —

Ashley Strickland, CNN, 17 Apr. 2023 Most light sail designs simply reflect the light to get a push, but the new design uses a different process known as diffraction that bends the incoming light to also generate a sideways force. —

Yuen Yiu, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2020 Stars have very short diffraction spikes. —

Camilo Garzón, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2022 When alignment was completed on 11 March, the image from NIRcam showed a single star with six spikes caused by diffraction. —

IEEE Spectrum, 6 July 2022 This artist's concept shows the (greatly exaggerated) diffraction pattern of starlight that occurs when an asteroid passes in front of the star. —

Alison Klesman, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2019 Sequoia LISST portable laser-diffraction particle-size analyzer: one. —

Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2022 See More

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

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of diffraction was in 1672

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Diffraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diffraction. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

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Kids Definition

diffraction

noun

dif·frac·tion dif-ˈrak-shən $How to pronounce diffraction (audio)$

: 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 $How to pronounce diffraction (audio)$

: 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)