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

Instead of focusing narrowly on tiny frequency bands, future surveys may need to examine broader wavelength ranges across large populations of nearby, Sun-like stars. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026

These bulbs emit longer wavelengths, which are less visible and less appealing to most bugs. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 3 May 2026

Its crimson hue results from the the light filtering properties of Earth's atmosphere, which scatter the blue wavelengths of moonlight as the lunar disk sits close to the horizon, while allowing red wavelengths to pass through relatively unhindered. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 May 2026

By obtaining a spectrum from EGS-z11-R0—that is, by gathering and parsing its light into constituent colors, or wavelengths—the team also found evidence of carbon as another sign of galactic maturity. —Jenna Ahart, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026

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