spectrum

noun

spec·​trum ˈspek-trəm 

plural spectra ˈspek-trə  or spectrums

1

a

: a continuum of color formed when a beam of white light is dispersed (as by passage through a prism) so that its component wavelengths are arranged in order

b

: any of various continua that resemble a color spectrum in consisting of an ordered arrangement by a particular characteristic (such as frequency or energy): such as

(1)

: electromagnetic spectrum

(2)

: radio spectrum

(3)

: the range of frequencies of sound waves

(4)

: mass spectrum

c

: the representation (such as a plot) of a spectrum

2

a

: a continuous sequence or range

a wide spectrum of interests

opposite ends of the political spectrum

b

: kinds of organisms associated with a particular situation (such as an environment)

c

: a range of effectiveness against pathogenic organisms

an antibiotic with a broad spectrum

Phrases

on the spectrum

: exhibiting traits associated with autism spectrum disorder

… quiet areas and sensory bags with headphones … and other ways to help kids who are on the spectrum cope with unfamiliar, noisy surroundings.

—Rachel Molenda

… Stephanie Adams, cofounder of the Autism and Asperger's Society, said: "We started the society because we wanted to make a place where people on the spectrum can spend their time and not feel isolated. …"

—Kelsey Maxwell

Synonyms

• diapason
• gamut
• range
• scale
• spread
• stretch

Examples of spectrum in a Sentence

beautiful scarves in all the colors of the spectrum

the complete spectrum of opinions on this hotly debated subject

Recent Examples on the Web

On the opposite end of the political spectrum, Igor Girkin announced his intention to run and unite all pro-war forces under his banner. —Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2023

Capybara personalities span the spectrum, and their preferences for company, human or not, vary. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023

But Becker is generally convincing in showing the whole political spectrum’s reluctance to be caught trafficking in any direct invocation of the concept. —Thomas Mallon, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023

Explore See latest videos, charts and news Naturally, a lot of music spanning the broad spectrum of the electronic genre was played during the conference. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 16 Nov. 2023

This revolt across the Republican ideological spectrum is something former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) never had to face. —Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner, 15 Nov. 2023

While some tech leaders, such as Thiel, supported Trump and the GOP’s attacks on Big Tech, today the tech elite across the political spectrum fear that Washington has become overly meddlesome in industries such as cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. —Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2023

And many Israelis across the political spectrum may resist any early move toward peace with the Palestinians in the wake of the most deadly attack on civilians in their country’s history. —Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2023

That seemed a lot more human and relatable for people along the political spectrum. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Nov. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, appearance — more at specter

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing spectrum

• a broad spectrum
• absorption spectrum
• broad-spectrum
• autism spectrum disorder
• radio spectrum
• mass spectrum
• electromagnetic spectrum
• on the spectrum
• autistic spectrum disorder

• a broad spectrum
• absorption spectrum
• broad-spectrum
• autism spectrum disorder
• radio spectrum
• mass spectrum
• electromagnetic spectrum
• on the spectrum
• autistic spectrum disorder

See More

Kids Definition

spectrum

noun

spec·​trum ˈspek-trəm 

plural spectra -trə  or spectrums

1

a

: the group of different colors including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet arranged in the order of their wavelengths and seen when white light passes through a prism and falls on a surface or when sunlight is scattered by water droplets to form a rainbow

b

: electromagnetic spectrum

2

: a continuous range or series

a wide spectrum of interests

Medical Definition

spectrum

noun

spec·​trum ˈspek-trəm 

plural spectra -trə  or spectrums

1

a

: a continuum of color formed when a beam of white light is dispersed (as by passage through a prism) so that its component wavelengths are arranged in order

b

: any of various continua that resemble a spectrum in consisting of an ordered arrangement by a particular characteristic (as frequency or energy): as

(1)

: electromagnetic spectrum

(2)

: mass spectrum

c

: the representation (as a plot) of a spectrum

2

: a continuous sequence or range

specifically : a range of effectiveness against pathogenic organisms see broad-spectrum, narrow-spectrum