WAVELENGTH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does wavelength mean? 

• WAVELENGTH (noun)
  The noun WAVELENGTH has 2 senses:

1. the distance (measured in the direction of propagation) between two points in the same phase in consecutive cycles of a wave

2. a shared orientation leading to mutual understanding

  Familiarity information: WAVELENGTH used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WAVELENGTH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The distance (measured in the direction of propagation) between two points in the same phase in consecutive cycles of a wave

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("wavelength" is a kind of...):

distance (the property created by the space between two objects or points)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A shared orientation leading to mutual understanding

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Context example:

they are on the same wavelength

Hypernyms ("wavelength" is a kind of...):

orientation (an integrated set of attitudes and beliefs)

 Context examples 

This also makes it the first time that an extended atmosphere has been discovered at infrared wavelengths.

(Hubble detects helium in the atmosphere of an exoplanet for the first time, ESA/Hubble)

Since beginning its survey in December 2013, NEOWISE has measured more than 19,000 asteroids and comets at infrared wavelengths.

(Asteroid-Hunting Spacecraft Delivers a Second Year of Data, NASA)

Molecules of CO emit a very distinctive millimetre-wavelength light that ALMA can observe in great detail.

(ALMA Discovers Trio of Infant Planets around Newborn Star, ESO)

High-energy, short wavelength, ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus.

(Gamma Radiation, NCI Thesaurus)

A class of dyes when excited by light of certain wavelengths, emit photons and become fluorescent.

(Fluorochrome Dye, NCI Thesaurus)

When exposed to specific wavelengths of light, PPIX is activated and, depending on the wavelength and/or intensity of light, either fluoresces, thereby allowing tumor imaging, or induces tumor cell apoptosis.

(Hexaminolevulinate, NCI Thesaurus)

A sterilization process that uses intense and short duration pulses of wavelengths of light from the ultraviolet to the near infrared regions to kill microorganisms.

(High Intensity Light or Pulse Light Sterilization, Food and Drug Administration)

Fluorescence bronchoscopy is based on the fact that normal tissue fluoresces differently than abnormal tissue when exposed to an appropriate wavelength of light and that this difference can be detected.

(Fluorescence Bronchoscopy, NCI Thesaurus)

Absorption of a photon of light followed, after a delay, by emission of a photon of longer wavelength.

(Fluorescence, NIH CRISP Thesaurus)

The false colors provide a way to humans to talk about infrared wavelengths of light their eyes cannot actually see.

(Citizen Scientists Discover Yellow "Space Balls", NASA)