spectrophotometry
noun
spec·tro·pho·tom·e·try
ˌspek-(ˌ)trō-fə-ˈtä-mə-trē 
: the quantitative measurement of properties (such as relative intensities) of light at different wavelengths of a particular spectrum
ultraviolet spectrophotometry
Using infrared spectrophotometry, Lynch was able to identify the substance as charred cotton, which could have come from anywhere.—
David Fisher
David Fisher… dual-wavelength spectrophotometry for the measurement of the optical properties of hemoglobin …—Honglian Jin et al.
Honglian Jin et al.Examples of spectrophotometry in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Calibrated and tested against the gold standard of spectrophotometry, the new strategy offers nearly the same level of accuracy with far less work.
—Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2024
The skin spectrophotometry measure (CIELab b*), indicative of greater fruit and vegetable intake, was significantly associated with more pleasant smelling sweat (with more floral, fruity, sweet and medicinal qualities), independent of sweat intensity.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 30 Aug. 2016
There are technologies, such as spectrophotometry, that can measure how much a chemical substance absorbs light and provide an objective measurement of melanin in the skin, but such spectrophotometers in the lab can cost thousands of dollars.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 7 Dec. 2022
There was an option to squeeze a small droplet of blood from the wearer’s ear to scan the blood alone using spectrophotometry.
—Amy Moran-Thomas, Wired, 4 June 2021
In recent years, the emphasis has shifted to alternative methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, colorimetry, or spectrophotometry.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 22 Oct. 2020
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Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2024
The skin spectrophotometry measure (CIELab b*), indicative of greater fruit and vegetable intake, was significantly associated with more pleasant smelling sweat (with more floral, fruity, sweet and medicinal qualities), independent of sweat intensity.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 30 Aug. 2016
There are technologies, such as spectrophotometry, that can measure how much a chemical substance absorbs light and provide an objective measurement of melanin in the skin, but such spectrophotometers in the lab can cost thousands of dollars.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 7 Dec. 2022
There was an option to squeeze a small droplet of blood from the wearer’s ear to scan the blood alone using spectrophotometry.
—Amy Moran-Thomas, Wired, 4 June 2021
In recent years, the emphasis has shifted to alternative methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, colorimetry, or spectrophotometry.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 22 Oct. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Spectrophotometry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectrophotometry. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
spectrophotometry
noun
spec·tro·pho·tom·e·try
ˌspek-(ˌ)trō-fə-ˈtäm-ə-trē
: the quantitative measurement of properties (such as relative intensities) of light at different wavelengths of a particular spectrum
infrared spectrophotometry
… dual-wavelength spectrophotometry for the measurement of the optical properties of hemoglobin …—Honglian Jin et al., BioMed Research International
Honglian Jin et al., BioMed Research InternationalLove words? Need even more definitions?
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