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

Some of these spiders seem to be able to control how ultraviolet light reflects off their body stripes. —Sarah Claire McDonald, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024

Signify — the parent company of the lighting giant Philips and a manufacturer of UVC chambers — told Vox sales have been up due to the bird flu outbreak. UV-emitting lamps could be the next step in the evolution of ultraviolet light on the farm. —Kenny Torrella, Vox, 4 June 2024

In one scenario, ultraviolet light shining from above (simulating the sky) enabled the moths to fly along a stable, linear path. —Gary Stix, Scientific American, 14 May 2024

The documents said both sets of nails were viewed under an ultraviolet black light and both sets clearly had the luminescent varnish on them. —Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ultraviolet

• far-ultraviolet
• near-ultraviolet

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