femtosecond

noun

fem·​to·​sec·​ond ˈfem(p)-tə-ˌse-kənd How to pronounce femtosecond (audio)
-kənt
-tō-
: one quadrillionth of a second

Examples of femtosecond in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Researchers suspend microscopic particles in a fluid and focus a femtosecond laser on a precise point. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026 Data is written encoded in an array of data matrices using a 2-D digital micro mirror with up to 2 million elements simultaneously written by femtosecond laser pulses in the UV spectrum with a write speed of 1GB/s and with less than 1W average power. Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026 The use of a Femto laser, capable of emitting extremely short light pulses in the order of femtoseconds, allows for unprecedented precision in engraving. Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 In electrons, these states occur over femtoseconds (quadrillionths of a second), and distances of fractions of a nanometer, which of course is hard to capture. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for femtosecond

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of femtosecond was in 1976

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Femtosecond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/femtosecond. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!