ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

1

: situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end

—used of radiation having a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or employing ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet noun

Examples of ultraviolet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured one of the closest images of 3I/ATLAS, MAVEN obtained ultraviolet images that NASA said should help scientists understand the comet’s make-up. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025

Tanning beds emit 10 to 15 times more ultraviolet A (UVA) rays than the sun. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Dec. 2025

The majority of skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which comes from the sun as well as tanning beds or sun lamps. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025

This combination of ultraviolet spectrum images shows atmospheric features of the planet Mars in 2022, left, and the planet's northern hemisphere in 2023 after Mars had passed the farthest point in its orbit from the Sun, captured by the MAVEN. —CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ultraviolet

• far-ultraviolet
• near-ultraviolet

Rhymes for ultraviolet

• inviolate
• violet

Kids Definition

ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-ə-lət 

1

: located beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end and having a wavelength shorter than those of visible light but longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or using ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet noun

Medical Definition

ultraviolet

1 of 2 adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

1

: situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end

—used of radiation having a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or employing ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet

2 of 2 noun

: ultraviolet radiation