wavelength

noun

wave·​length ˈwāv-ˌleŋ(k)th 

1

: the distance in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next point of corresponding phase

2

: a particular course or line of thought especially as related to mutual understanding

two people on different wavelengths

Examples of wavelength in a Sentence

Light and sound have different wavelengths.

Recent Examples on the Web

Orange indicates starlight peeking through the dust: bluer wavelengths are blocked by dust, leaving only the redder light to shine through. —Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025

This time, Madhusudhan and his team used a different instrument outfitted to Webb that allowed the researchers to analyze K2-18b in another wavelength range of light so as not to overlap with the previous observations. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

This process releases a small amount of energy in the form of a photon with a wavelength of 21 centimeters. —ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025

Like fans who made a genuine, grassroots hit of Napoleon Dynamite, kids at A Minecraft Movie understand the filmmaker’s comic wavelength and respond in kind. —Armond White, National Review, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wavelength

noun

wave·​length ˈwāv-ˌleŋ(k)th 

1

: the distance (as from crest to crest) in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next corresponding point

2

: a certain line of thought or behavior that reveals a common understanding

coworkers who are on the same wavelength

Medical Definition

wavelength

noun

wave·​length -ˌleŋ(k)th 

: the distance in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the next point of corresponding phase

—symbol λ