ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

1

: situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end

—used of radiation having a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or employing ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet noun

Examples of ultraviolet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Hubble observations were made in visible and ultraviolet light. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 11 Oct. 2024

Melanin and Other Pigmentation Roles Melanin in the skin helps protect against ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and visible blue light. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024

Solar flares emit radiation, mostly in the form of ultraviolet light and X-rays, that can hurtle toward Earth at the speed of light. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024

While your first inclination may be to dismiss it as a marketing ploy, the experiment was effective for the purposes of exploring the effects of space on whiskey thanks to the changes in temperature, humidity and ultraviolet radiation experienced at these heights. —Mark Littler, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ultraviolet

• far-ultraviolet
• near-ultraviolet

Kids Definition

ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-ə-lət 

1

: located beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end and having a wavelength shorter than those of visible light but longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or using ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet noun

Medical Definition

ultraviolet

1 of 2 adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

1

: situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end

—used of radiation having a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or employing ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet

2 of 2 noun

: ultraviolet radiation