gamma ray

noun

: a photon emitted spontaneously by a radioactive substance

also : a photon of higher energy than that of an X-ray

Examples of gamma ray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The remnant’s northern part is aglow with gamma rays from accelerated protons, however—indicating the shock is interacting with a dense cloud of ionized hydrogen gas called the S249 H II region. — Damien Pine, Scientific American, 21 July 2026

The collective radiation from these hydrogen atom collisions, in the form of light, heat, gamma rays and x-rays, slowly makes its way to the outer layer of a star. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026

Launched in 2004, Swift has spent more than a generation observing gamma ray bursts—the most powerful forms of energy since the Big Bang. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 2 July 2026

True to its name, Swift is designed to pivot quickly to capture late-breaking astronomical events such as gamma ray bursts and exploding stars. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 28 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gamma ray

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

gamma ray

noun

: a ray that is like an X-ray but of higher energy and that is given off especially by a radioactive substance

Medical Definition

gamma ray

noun

: a photon emitted spontaneously by a radioactive substance

also : a high-energy photon

—usually used in plural