electromagnetic spectrum

noun

: the entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible light

Examples of electromagnetic spectrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Looking in different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example, is a good way to uncover novel things because different objects emit light in different ways. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025

Infrared light is a region of the electromagnetic spectrum that sits outside the range of natural human vision, and capturing it with a digital camera creates images of a peculiar, ghostly quality. —Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Well, those wavelengths lie in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum — and on April 1, NASA announced its brand new infrared space telescope, SPHEREx, has officially opened its eyes to the cosmos as well. —Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Mastery of the electromagnetic spectrum — jamming, spoofing, spying — can mean the difference between life or death. —Colin Demarest, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for electromagnetic spectrum

• electrum

Kids Definition

electromagnetic spectrum

noun

: the entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic waves extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible light

Medical Definition

electromagnetic spectrum

noun

: the entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible light