backscatter
Americannoun
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The deflection of radiation or particles by electromagnetic or nuclear forces through angles greater than 90° to the initial direction of travel.
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The radiation or particles so deflected.
Etymology
Origin of backscatter
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The researchers also confirmed their conclusions using phase field simulations and electron backscatter diffraction measurements.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
What I like about this photograph is the imperfection of backscatter, recreating space and making it perfect to me.
From BBC ● Feb. 10, 2022
“We know there are biological mechanisms by which X-ray exposure can cause cancer...it seemed likely that those backscatter scanners would carry some small risks.”
From Time ● Aug. 23, 2017
The subsurface contours of new caves may be mapped by ground-penetrating radar or acoustic backscatter.
From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2013
The TSA "is in the process of removing all the backscatter units from ... airports where they are deployed and will replace most of them with millimeter wave technology," he said.
From Reuters ● Jan. 18, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
