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

With spectroscopy, astronomers split light into its many wavelengths to study an object’s characteristics. —Denise Chow, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2025

The actors all seem perfectly attuned to this slippery wavelength, while the design contributors — notably cinematographer Kenji Maki, art director Takashi Sasaki, costume designer Kazuhiro Sawataishi and visual effects chief Nobutaka Douki — do exemplary work. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 3 Aug. 2025

All day, every day, pairs of distant observatories tuned to radio wavelengths of light check in on their specific object. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 31 July 2025

Alter the structure by changing the size of the tiles, and the crystals become sensitive to a different wavelength. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2025

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