ultraviolet

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

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of ultraviolet

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

See ultraviolet defined for English-language learners

See ultraviolet defined for kids

Recent Examples of ultraviolet from the Web

The major risk factor for melanoma stems from exposure to ultraviolet rays, his post goes on to say, from either sunlight, tanning beds, or sun lamps.

— shari rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Surgeon general Jerome Adams' wife undergoing treatment for advanced skin cancer," 28 Mar. 2018
In a Facebook post, Adams outlined how exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds can increase the likelihood of melanoma and described the warning signs.

— andrew joseph, STAT, "Surgeon general’s wife treated for melanoma recurrence as he highlights risks of tanning," 28 Mar. 2018
For contrast, arc eye is a burn: Welders get it from their exposure to bright ultraviolet light.

— susan crawford, WIRED, "What Are Screens Doing to Our Eyes—And Our Ability to See?," 27 Mar. 2018
According to the patent, the drone's communication system would include an array of sensors, including a depth sensor and cameras to detect visible, infrared and ultraviolet light.

— washington post, latimes.com, "Amazon patents delivery drones that can react to people screaming and flailing," 22 Mar. 2018
His Washington-area surgeon, Dr. Rajesh Rajpal, treated his eye with riboflavin (or vitamin B2) drops for 30 minutes and then blasted it with ultraviolet light for another 30.

— childs walker, baltimoresun.com, "Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams seeing more clearly after surgery to combat eye condition," 14 Mar. 2018
After that, the researchers shine a very short burst of ultraviolet light through the condensate.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Giant atom hides its neighbors under a single-electron skirt," 7 Mar. 2018
PurpleSun uses 90-second blasts of ultraviolet light to disinfect hospital equipment.

— lucette lagnado, WSJ, "Hospitals Fund Potential Game-Changers in Health Tech," 7 Mar. 2018
By the end, the two narrative arcs meet, sort of, for a piercing conclusion that plays on the title’s reference to ultraviolet light.

— elisabeth vincentelli, New York Times, "Review: In ‘Black Light,’ an Alter Ego Takes Over, and She Is One Diva," 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ultraviolet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of ultraviolet

1840

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

ULTRAVIOLET Defined for English Language Learners

ultraviolet

adjective

Definition of ultraviolet for English Language Learners

—used to describe rays of light that cannot be seen and that are slightly shorter than the rays of violet light

ULTRAVIOLET Defined for Kids

ultraviolet

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

Definition of ultraviolet for Students

: relating to, producing, or being energy that is like light but has a slightly shorter wavelength and lies beyond the violet end of the spectrum

Medical Dictionary

ultraviolet

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

medical Definition of ultraviolet

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