ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət How to pronounce ultraviolet (audio)
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 Getty | Noam Galai Lamps emitting ultraviolet light in the corner of a Bored Ape NFT event in Hong Kong last Saturday are the likely cause of severe eye and skin injuries among attendees, according to Yuga Labs, the creator of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and host of the event. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 9 Nov. 2023 At that distance, Clipper’s magnetometer will be able to measure the depth and salinity of the moon’s ocean; its mass spectrometer will study the ocean’s chemical makeup; and its ultraviolet spectrograph will search for plumes of water vapor escaping through the icy shell. Gina Errico, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 Replacing traditional medical instruments with ultraviolet and other laser types, laser surgery effectively removes tissue, hair, and skin, leading to noticeable improvements in patients’ appearances. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 7 Aug. 2023 More mammals are fluorescent under ultraviolet light than previously thought, according to a study published last week in the journal Royal Society Open Science. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023 Fluorescent compounds were found in bone, teeth, claws, fur, feathers and skin. 0:37 STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images LONDON -- Over the last few years, fluorescence under ultraviolet light has been reported among many animals, including birds, reptiles, insects and fish. Emma Ogao, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2023 The interior includes infrared and ultraviolet glass on the oversized south windows that help regulate the home’s temperature without obstructing the view. Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2023 In an effort to kill germs, whenever a ball was touched by a player, the Scotties waved a wand with ultraviolet light over the ball. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2023 Imaging the corona in detail at optical and ultraviolet wavelengths allows scientists to study the dynamics within that solar atmosphere and better understand the heating rate within it. WIRED, 20 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ultraviolet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ultraviolet was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near ultraviolet

Cite this Entry

“Ultraviolet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ultraviolet. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

ultraviolet

adjective
ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-ə-lət How to pronounce ultraviolet (audio)
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 How to pronounce ultraviolet (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on ultraviolet

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