ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

1

: situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end

—used of radiation having a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or employing ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet noun

Examples of ultraviolet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The footage was captured on July 24, according to an ESA statement accompanying the image, just two weeks after SMILE's ultraviolet imager was switched on, offering an exciting first taste of the science to come. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Beginning in the late 1990s, Berkeley Lab researchers at the CXRO pioneered techniques to replace visible light with higher energy extreme ultraviolet light for lithography. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Though ozone high up in Earth’s stratosphere provides protection from ultraviolet radiation to people and other life on the planet, ground-level ozone is a toxic pollutant. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026

One significant piece of evidence came from ultraviolet examination, which detected the remains of the artist’s studio stamp. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ultraviolet

• far-ultraviolet
• near-ultraviolet

Rhymes for ultraviolet

• inviolate
• violet

Kids Definition

ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-ə-lət 

1

: located beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end and having a wavelength shorter than those of visible light but longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or using ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet noun

Medical Definition

ultraviolet

1 of 2 adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

1

: situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end

—used of radiation having a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or employing ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet

2 of 2 noun

: ultraviolet radiation