spectral

adjective

spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl How to pronounce spectral (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or suggesting a specter : ghostly
We felt a spectral presence in the old ballroom.
No ghost stood beside me, nor anything of spectral aspect; merely a motherly, dumpy little woman, in a large shawl, a wrapping-gown, and a clean, trim nightcap.Charlotte Brontë
2
: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum
especially : relating to or derived from the electromagnetic spectrum of visible light
Surfaces can differ in the proportion of incident light they reflect (dark ones reflect less than light ones) and in the spectral composition of the light they reflect. Principles Of Neural Science
Their examination supported the opinion that the stone was mined in India and cut in London. They also found that the spectral characteristics overlap those of known treated green diamonds. Lapidary Journal
spectrally adverb

Examples of spectral 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.
Such spectral doppelgängers stalk the living as grim omens of impending death. Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025 As the spectral figure begins to manifest in real life, his girlfriend Pia investigates the ghost’s identity, uncovering connections to a former university student named Lilies. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 May 2025 Season three’s conclusion includes a joyous picnic with another estranged branch of the family, including a relative who had for years planned to murder them all, as a spectral Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles) looks on approvingly. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2025 After the robot collects its detailed visual and spectral imagery, Jiang says, a customized AI model compares it to a data bank to spot patterns known to be indicators of existing disease or vulnerability, allowing a farmer to concentrate prevention or treatment efforts on a particular location. Hope Hodge Seck, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spectral

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectral was in 1769

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Cite this Entry

“Spectral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectral. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

spectral

adjective
spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl How to pronounce spectral (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or suggesting a specter : ghostly
2
: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum

Medical Definition

spectral

adjective
spec·​tral ˈspek-trəl How to pronounce spectral (audio)
: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum
spectrally adverb

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