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

Greenish wavelengths also have little effect on melatonin, and red has even less. —Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

The colorful scene was captured with the help of a set of astrophotography filters, each of which were designed to capture specific wavelengths of light that were subsequently assigned individual colors during the post processing phase. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2025

The images help researchers visually confirm more detailed data gathered by spectroscopy (analyzing light wavelengths). —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025

Our own review of Battlefield 6 called the game a throwback military fantasy that operates on the same wavelength as 2000s-era multiplayer shooters, which totally aligns with the direction of the game’s soundtrack. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 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