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

One button near the ear begins the nine-minute-long treatment—which encompasses each of the three wavelengths—with a single long press. —Deanna Pai, Vogue, 7 Sep. 2024

BepiColombo will also map Mercury at different wavelengths. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024

But the way light spreads out in the optics depends on its wavelength, with shorter wavelengths yielding higher resolution. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2024

Quantum Dot: The backlight in most displays is usually a white light that then passes through a filter to produce red, green, and blue wavelengths. —Eric Ravenscraft, WIRED, 3 Aug. 2024

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