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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Because of limitations imposed by the atmosphere on the effective transmission of energy within certain sections of the electromagnetic spectrum, researchers have focused on microwave, millimeter-wave, and optical frequencies. —

IEEE Spectrum, 21 May 2022 Chandra saw that glow in the x-ray part of the electromagnetic spectrum, while WISE glimpsed it in infrared. —

Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2023 The techniques included X-ray fluorescence imaging spectroscopy and reflectance hyperspectral imaging, which uses a light-dispersing spectrometer to collect and process information from across the electromagnetic spectrum. —

Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2022 In general, galaxies that are at cosmological distances appear redder due to the light being stretched into the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. —

Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 These days, imaging is conducted across different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. —

The Conversation, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2023 Like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), VISTA is sensitive to different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum beyond the capability of human eyes. —

Jamie Carter, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2023 Basically, these different wavelengths from across the electromagnetic spectrum penetrate different depths of a painting. —

Marisa Sloan, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022 The few exotic stellar encounters that produce gamma-ray bursts can look very similar to one another across the electromagnetic spectrum. —

Eleonora Troja, The Conversation, 21 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'electromagnetic spectrum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of electromagnetic spectrum was in 1924

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near electromagnetic spectrum

electromagnetics

electromagnetic spectrum

electromagnetic theory of light

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Electromagnetic spectrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electromagnetic%20spectrum. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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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