refract

verb

re·​fract ri-ˈfrakt How to pronounce refract (audio)
refracted; refracting; refracts

transitive verb

1
a
: to subject (something, such as a ray of light) to refraction
Between them, Kirchhoff and Bunsen developed the spectroscope, which uses a prism to refract light.Paul Strathern
b
: to alter or distort as if by refraction
"Nope" is his twist on the alien-invasion film as refracted through the prism of [filmmaker] David Lynch.Cary Darling
Too often Indian food, and later Chinese—then the two most favored and accepted of foreign cuisines—became refracted through the prism of British food.Nigella Lawson
2
: to determine the refracting power of
refract a lens

intransitive verb

: to be subjected to refraction
The head of the figure is often surrounded by rings of coloured light caused by light diffraction. Like with a rainbow, this is caused by light refracting through tiny droplets of water in the air.Olivia Jones

Examples of refract in a Sentence

Light is refracted when it hits water.
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.
Glasses made of these materials also refract light better than cheaper alternatives and offer a more elegant look and feel to elevate the drinking experience. Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 10 June 2025 Even Billie Eilish's whisper-pop owes something to Brian's delicate dynamics, while Tyler, the Creator's maximalist funk bears Sly's DNA, refracted through Odd Future chaos. Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025 Dispersion is a related phenomenon in which different wavelengths of light are refracted at various angles. Madison Dapcevich, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2025 Also, if a background with bold colors is behind the glass, the light refracts off the glass menu button in a different shade. Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for refract

Word History

Etymology

Latin refractus, past participle of refringere to break open, break up, from re- + frangere to break — more at break

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of refract was in 1563

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refract. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

refract

verb
re·​fract ri-ˈfrakt How to pronounce refract (audio)
: to cause to go through refraction

Medical Definition

refract

transitive verb
re·​fract ri-ˈfrakt How to pronounce refract (audio)
1
: to subject (as a ray of light) to refraction
2
: to determine the refracting power of or abnormality of refraction in (as an eye or a lens)

More from Merriam-Webster on refract

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