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

The bright stars with the diffraction spikes are closer to us in the foreground. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025

All camera lenses lose some detail at very narrow f-stops, a result of optical diffraction. —PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025

Unlike conventional luminescent or scattering-based concentrators, which often suffer from visual distortion, low efficiency, and poor scalability, the new CUSC delivers broadband, polarization-selective diffraction and efficient waveguiding while preserving complete visual clarity. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025

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