wavelength

noun

wave·​length ˈwāv-ˌleŋ(k)th 

1

: the distance in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next point of corresponding phase

2

: a particular course or line of thought especially as related to mutual understanding

two people on different wavelengths

Examples of wavelength in a Sentence

Light and sound have different wavelengths.

Recent Examples on the Web

Vacuum ultraviolet wavelengths are much shorter, roughly 100 to 200 nanometers, allowing scientists to see much smaller structures. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026

To catalog these stellar migrants, the researchers turned to the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite, an observatory tracking the positions, movements and wavelengths of light from more than two billion stars. —Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 12 Mar. 2026

Not all wavelengths have received equal attention, however, and some wavelengths have been woefully neglected in recent years. —Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026

NIRCam captures shorter-wavelength infrared light that highlights the stars and star clusters embedded deep within the spiral arms. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wavelength

noun

wave·​length ˈwāv-ˌleŋ(k)th 

1

: the distance (as from crest to crest) in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next corresponding point

2

: a certain line of thought or behavior that reveals a common understanding

coworkers who are on the same wavelength

Medical Definition

wavelength

noun

wave·​length -ˌleŋ(k)th 

: the distance in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next point of corresponding phase

—symbol λ