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
This releases energy mostly in the form of gamma rays, which are absorbed by the surrounding material, heating it up.
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
The 13-foot-tall, 13-foot-wide (four-meter) cylinder uses ultra-pure lead to block gamma rays and high-density polyethylene to absorb neutrons.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026
The catastropic cosmic event sent light and particles, including a sudden flash of gamma rays, streaming through the universe.
—Eleonora Troja, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Neutron stars also have some of the strongest magnetic fields known in the universe — up to 10 trillion times the power of a refrigerator magnet, and enough turn gamma rays into electrons and positrons in a way manmade particle accelerators cannot hope to do, NASA explained.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gamma ray
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Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
The 13-foot-tall, 13-foot-wide (four-meter) cylinder uses ultra-pure lead to block gamma rays and high-density polyethylene to absorb neutrons.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026
The catastropic cosmic event sent light and particles, including a sudden flash of gamma rays, streaming through the universe.
—Eleonora Troja, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Neutron stars also have some of the strongest magnetic fields known in the universe — up to 10 trillion times the power of a refrigerator magnet, and enough turn gamma rays into electrons and positrons in a way manmade particle accelerators cannot hope to do, NASA explained.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gamma ray
Cite this Entry
“Gamma ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamma%20ray. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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