electromagnetic spectrum

noun

: the entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible light

Examples of electromagnetic spectrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mastery of the electromagnetic spectrum — jamming, spoofing, spying — can mean the difference between life or death. —Colin Demarest, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025

One change that’s clearly needed is in the way the regulators in most countries divvy up the electromagnetic spectrum. —Mark A. McHenry, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2015

Once tighter, blueish wavelengths can stretch out like rubber bands to become longer, reddish ones — and when traveling across vast distances, those wavelengths can really stretch out to end up in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. —Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025

Visible light makes up a small segment of the electromagnetic spectrum and is the only part the human eye can see. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for electromagnetic spectrum

• electrum

Kids Definition

electromagnetic spectrum

noun

: the entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic waves extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible light

Medical Definition

electromagnetic spectrum

noun

: the entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible light