diffract

verb

dif·​fract di-ˈfrakt How to pronounce diffract (audio)
diffracted; diffracting; diffracts

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo diffraction

Examples of diffract in a Sentence

Light is diffracted when it passes through a prism.
Recent Examples on the Web And crystals were defined as matter that diffracts with these Bragg peaks, with these sharp, bright spots. Quanta Magazine, 3 July 2024 Christopher McFadden 24 days ago 0 Science Scientists create thinnest lens in history, measuring only 3 atoms thick Instead of refraction, the world’s thinnest lens works by diffracting light and that too of specific wavelengths. Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2024 As a result, some of the diffracting light inside the crystal interferes destructively. Susumu Noda, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024 This was bolstered by Max Von Laue's Nobel Prize-winning discovery that crystals could diffract x-rays. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 26 Dec. 2023 For example, a diffractive optical neural network is composed of a stack of layers, each possessing thousands of pixels that can diffract, or scatter, light. IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2022 The starburst is created by sunlight diffracting into uniform rays on the camera’s sensor. Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 7 May 2023 For example, a diffractive optical neural network is composed of a stack of layers, each possessing thousands of pixels that can diffract, or scatter, light. IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2022 The telescope sits right on the edge of the sunflower’s shadow, where the petals bend and diffract the few photons of light that get through. Chris Wright, Wired, 4 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diffract.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from diffraction

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diffract was in 1803

Dictionary Entries Near diffract

Cite this Entry

“Diffract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diffract. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

diffract

verb
dif·​fract dif-ˈrakt How to pronounce diffract (audio)
: to cause to go through diffraction

Medical Definition

diffract

transitive verb
dif·​fract dif-ˈrakt How to pronounce diffract (audio)
: to cause to undergo diffraction
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