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

X-ray diffraction measurements had revealed the atomic structure of the quasicrystals. —Patchen Barss, Quanta Magazine, 18 Aug. 2025

When light passes through a lens, the light gets spread out through diffraction. —Katarina Zimmer, JSTOR Daily, 14 Aug. 2025

Instead, the Sun’s light will diffract around the edge of the coronagraphic disk, as light’s dual (including wave-like) nature ensures that instead of just a dark shadow, the Sun’s light will produce a series of rings, a result of interference and diffraction. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 5 Aug. 2025

Matching computer simulations of how amorphous ice freezes to X-ray diffraction measurements of real amorphous ice suggest that in some cases, up to a quarter of amorphous ice can be made up of crystals. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 July 2025

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

Rhymes for diffraction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction
• olfaction

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)