spectrophotometry

noun

spec·​tro·​pho·​tom·​e·​try ˌspek-(ˌ)trō-fə-ˈtä-mə-trē How to pronounce spectrophotometry (audio)
: the quantitative measurement of properties (such as relative intensities) of light at different wavelengths of a particular spectrum
ultraviolet spectrophotometry
Using infrared spectrophotometry, Lynch was able to identify the substance as charred cotton, which could have come from anywhere.David Fisher
… dual-wavelength spectrophotometry for the measurement of the optical properties of hemoglobin …Honglian Jin et al.

Examples of spectrophotometry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Calibrated and tested against the gold standard of spectrophotometry, the new strategy offers nearly the same level of accuracy with far less work. Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2024 The skin spectrophotometry measure (CIELab b*), indicative of greater fruit and vegetable intake, was significantly associated with more pleasant smelling sweat (with more floral, fruity, sweet and medicinal qualities), independent of sweat intensity. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 30 Aug. 2016 There are technologies, such as spectrophotometry, that can measure how much a chemical substance absorbs light and provide an objective measurement of melanin in the skin, but such spectrophotometers in the lab can cost thousands of dollars. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 7 Dec. 2022 There was an option to squeeze a small droplet of blood from the wearer’s ear to scan the blood alone using spectrophotometry. Amy Moran-Thomas, Wired, 4 June 2021 In recent years, the emphasis has shifted to alternative methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, colorimetry, or spectrophotometry. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 22 Oct. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectrophotometry was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near spectrophotometry

Cite this Entry

“Spectrophotometry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectrophotometry. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

spectrophotometry

noun
spec·​tro·​pho·​tom·​e·​try ˌspek-(ˌ)trō-fə-ˈtäm-ə-trē How to pronounce spectrophotometry (audio)
: the quantitative measurement of properties (such as relative intensities) of light at different wavelengths of a particular spectrum
infrared spectrophotometry
… dual-wavelength spectrophotometry for the measurement of the optical properties of hemoglobin …Honglian Jin et al., BioMed Research International
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