gamma

1 of 2

noun

gam·​ma ˈga-mə 

plural gammas

1

: the 3rd letter of the Greek alphabet see Alphabet Table

2

: something or someone designated with the name gamma or the Greek letter γ especially denoting the third in position, order, or class

gamma hydroxybutyrate

3

: the degree of contrast of a developed photographic image or of a video image

4

: a unit of magnetic flux density equal to one nanotesla

5

: gamma ray

gamma counter

6

: microgram

gamma

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or being one of three or more closely related chemical substances

2

: third in position in the structure of an organic molecule from a particular group or atom

—symbol γ

Examples of gamma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In between, Usher’s ninth studio album Coming Home arrived — the first release on his indie label Mega, co-founded with L.A. Reid and in association with Larry Jackson’s gamma. —Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2024

Additionally, the Hero 13 Black now supports a hybrid-log gamma HDR option with a wider color gamut, 10-bit depth, and Rec. 2100 color space, meeting broadcast HDR standards. —Prakhar Khanna, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Adjective

The company expects these programs to lead to full a gamma version and full production runs by the end of 2024. —IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2023

And the worldwide shortage of gamma ferric oxide has brought tape production to a crawl. —David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 11 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Latin, borrowed from Greek gȧmma, borrowed from Phoenician *gaml-, perhaps with the original sense "throwing stick"

Adjective

attributive use of gamma entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gamma

• gamma-aminobutyric acid
• gamma camera
• gamma globulin
• gamma hydroxybutyrate
• gamma interferon
• gamma radiation
• gamma ray
• gamma ray burst
• interferon gamma

Kids Definition

gamma

noun

gam·​ma

ˈgam-ə

: the third letter of the Greek alphabet

—Γ or γ

Medical Definition

gamma

1 of 2 noun

gam·​ma ˈgam-ə 

1

: the third letter of the Greek alphabet

—symbol Γ or γ

2

: a unit of magnetic flux density equal to one nanotesla

3

: gamma ray

—usually used as the attributive form of gamma ray

gamma counter

4

: microgram sense 1

gamma

2 of 2 adjective

variants or γ-

1

: of or relating to one of three or more closely related chemical substances

the gamma chain of hemoglobin

γ-yohimbine

—used somewhat arbitrarily to specify ordinal relationship or a particular physical form and especially one that is allotropic, isomeric, or stereoisomeric (as in gamma benzene hexachloride)

2

: third in position in the structure of an organic molecule from a particular group or atom

also : occurring at or having a structure characterized by such a position

γ-hydroxy acids

3

of streptococci : producing no hemolysis on blood agar plates