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

An infrared monster Light comes in multiple wavelengths, which astronomers often use to reveal different characteristics about the same objects. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Space telescopes are typically optimized either to study a small patch of the sky across many wavelengths of light or to survey vaster swaths of the cosmos in only a handful of wavelengths. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 19 Dec. 2025

Multiple missions have observed the object in optical, infrared and radio wavelengths of light — and recently, scientists captured their first glimpses in X-rays to and discovered new details. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025

So there is an element of his team-mates needing to get on the same wavelength, and vice versa. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 17 Dec. 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