Definition of wavelength
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
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of wavelength in a Sentence
Light and sound have different wavelengths.
Recent Examples of wavelength from the Web
-
The whole orchestra seemed finely focused on the conductor’s wavelength.
-
With new materials, Uribe-Romo hopes to make his artificial leaf work with wavelengths other than just blue light, making the process even more efficient.
-
And although the software cannot yet analyze color outside the visible spectrum---like infrared or ultraviolet wavelengths---Wallin thinks it could easily be tweaked to incorporate them.
-
The project plans to use about 40 channels, or wavelengths, each capable of transmitting 10 billion bits a second (10 Gbps).
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wavelength'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
1850
First Known Use of wavelength
1850
WAVELENGTH Defined for English Language Learners
wavelength
playDefinition of wavelength for English Language Learners
-
: the distance from one wave of energy to another as it is traveling from one point to another point
-
—used especially in the phrases on the same wavelength and on a different wavelength to say that people share or do not share a way of thinking
WAVELENGTH Defined for Kids
wavelength
playDefinition of wavelength for Students
: the distance in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next similar point
Medical Dictionary
wavelength
playMedical Definition of wavelength
: the distance in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next point of corresponding phase—symbol λ
Learn More about wavelength
-
See words that rhyme with wavelength Spanish Central: Translation of wavelength Nglish: Translation of wavelength for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wavelength
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up wavelength? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!