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Showing results for backscatter. Search instead for backscatters.

backscatter

American  
[bak-skat-er] / ˈbækˌskæt ər /
Also backscattering

noun

Physics.
  1. the deflection of nuclear particles or of radiation in a scattering process through an angle greater than 90°.


backscatter Scientific  
/ băk′skăt′ər /
  1. The deflection of radiation or particles by electromagnetic or nuclear forces through angles greater than 90° to the initial direction of travel.

  2. The radiation or particles so deflected.


Etymology

Origin of backscatter

First recorded in 1955–60; back 2 + scatter


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.

See Examples For:

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

Apart from the privacy questions posed by the use of the backscatter technology, some experts also had concerns that those scanners exposed travelers to potentially dangerous amounts of radiation.

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

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