wavelength

American  

[weyv-lengkth, -length, -lenth] / ˈweɪvˌlɛŋkθ, -ˌlɛŋθ, -ˌlɛnθ /

Or wave length

noun

1. Physics. the distance, measured in the direction of propagation of a wave, between two successive points in the wave that are characterized by the same phase of oscillation.

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idioms

1. on the same wavelength, in sympathy or rapport.

   We seemed to be on the same wavelength from the moment we met.

wavelength British  

/ ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθ /

noun

1.  λ.  the distance, measured in the direction of propagation, between two points of the same phase in consecutive cycles of a wave

2. the wavelength of the carrier wave used by a particular broadcasting station

3. informal having similar views, feelings, or thoughts (as someone else)

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wavelength Scientific  

/ wāv′lĕngkth′ /

1. The distance between one peak or crest of a wave and the next peak or crest. It is equal to the speed of the wave divided by its frequency, and to the speed of a wave times its period.

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wavelength Cultural  

1. The distance between crests (or troughs) of a wave.

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Etymology

Origin of wavelength

First recorded in 1855–60; wave + length

Explanation

A wavelength is the distance between two peaks in a wave. And, if you are on the same wavelength with someone else, you are in sync and share the same perspective. You can say, "My best friend and I are on the same wavelength," meaning you truly understand each other and tend to see the world in the same way. This meaning has been around since the 1920s, but originally wavelength had only its scientific definition, "the distance between two peaks of a wave." Wavelengths can be measured on anything that travels in waves, like sound, light, or water. The Old English root word is wagian, "to move back and forth."

Example Sentences

“Baseball was, oddly, very good training for 9/11,” he told Wavelength.

From Washington Post • Aug. 11, 2021

Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional: As the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Wavelength and flux calibration of the spectra were performed using helium–argon lamps and spectrophotometric stars.

From Nature • Oct. 15, 2017

If virtual reality hijacks our eyes to show us the world through someone else’s, the Wavelength hijacks the whole nervous system.

From The Verge • Jan. 12, 2016

To find out more about these subjects, please see Frequency, Wavelength, and Pitch9 , Harmonic Seriesl0 , or Musical Intervals, Frequency, and Ratio.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• acumen
• intuition
• judgment
• observation
• understanding
• vision
• wisdom