Xray

1 of 3

communications code word

ˈeks-ˌrā 

—used as a code word for the letter x

x-ray

2 of 3

verb

ˈeks-ˌrā 

x-rayed; x-raying; x-rays

often capitalized

transitive verb

: to examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays

X-ray

3 of 3

noun

ˈeks-ˌrā 

1

: any of the electromagnetic radiations that have an extremely short wavelength of less than 100 angstroms and have the properties of penetrating various thicknesses of all solids, of producing secondary radiations by impinging on material bodies, and of acting on photographic films and plates as light does

2

: a photograph obtained by use of X-rays

X-ray adjective

Word History

First Known Use

Communications Code Word

1943, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1899, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

x-ray

1 of 2 verb

ˈeks-ˌrā

often capitalized X

: to examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays

X-ray

2 of 2 noun

ˈeks-ˌrā

1

: an electromagnetic radiation of an extremely short wavelength that is able to penetrate various thicknesses of solids and to act on photographic film as light does

2

: a photograph taken by the use of X-rays

X-ray adjective

Medical Definition

x-ray

1 of 2 transitive verb

ˈeks-ˌrā 

often capitalized X

: to examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays

X-ray

2 of 2 noun

1

: any of the electromagnetic radiations of the same nature as visible radiation but of an extremely short wavelength less than 100 angstroms that is produced by bombarding a metallic target with fast electrons in vacuum or by transition of atoms to lower energy states and that has the properties of ionizing a gas upon passage through it, of penetrating various thicknesses of all solids, of producing secondary radiations by impinging on material bodies, of acting on photographic films and plates as light does, and of causing fluorescent screens to emit light

called also roentgen ray

2

: a photograph obtained by use of X-rays

a chest X-ray

X-ray adjective