electromagnetic spectrum
noun
the entire spectrum, considered as a continuum, of all kinds of electric, magnetic, and visible radiation, from gamma rays having a wavelength of 0.001 angstrom to long waves having a wavelength of more than 1 million km.
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decorum
Origin of electromagnetic spectrum
First recorded in 1935–40
Words nearby electromagnetic spectrum
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for electromagnetic spectrum
electromagnetic spectrum
noun
the complete range of electromagnetic radiation from the longest radio waves (wavelength 10 5 metres) to the shortest gamma radiation (wavelength 10 –13 metre)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for electromagnetic spectrum
electromagnetic spectrum
The entire range of electromagnetic radiation. At one end of the spectrum are gamma rays, which have the shortest wavelengths and high frequencies. At the other end are radio waves, which have the longest wavelengths and low frequencies. Visible light is near the center of the spectrum.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for electromagnetic spectrum
electromagnetic spectrum
The family of electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic spectrum, starting from the waves with the longest wavelengths (and least energy), consists of radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, and gamma radiation. Members of the family differ from one another only in their wavelength, or frequency. For example, the wavelength of blue light is roughly half that of red light, but the waves corresponding to the two colors are otherwise identical.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.