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

As the light passed through the planet’s atmosphere, different amounts of light were blocked at different wavelengths, depending on what molecules are present. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 June 2025

The filtering of shorter wavelengths of blue, green and purple during sunset and the longer wavelengths of orange, pink and red that amplify at sunset get enhanced by the dust in the upper atmosphere, meteorologists explain. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025

Doppler radars emit pulses in wavelengths about the size of a baseball. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 30 May 2025

A broad spectrum chemical sunscreen will protect against the different wavelengths of UV light and is why these types of sunscreen typically have three or four active ingredients on the label. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 May 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