ultraviolet

American  

[uhl-truh-vahy-uh-lit] / ˌʌl trəˈvaɪ ə lɪt /

adjective

1. beyond the violet in the spectrum, corresponding to light having wavelengths shorter than 4000 angstrom units.

2. pertaining to, producing, or utilizing light having such wavelengths.

   an ultraviolet lamp.

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noun

1. ultraviolet radiation.

ultraviolet British  

/ ˌʌltrəˈvaɪəlɪt /

noun

1. the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths shorter than light but longer than X-rays; in the range 0.4 × 10 ^–6 and 1 × 10 ^–8 metres

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adjective

1.  UV.  of, relating to, or consisting of radiation lying in the ultraviolet

   ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet Scientific  

/ ŭl′trə-vī′ə-lĭt /

1. Relating to electromagnetic radiation having frequencies higher than those of visible light but lower than those of x-rays, approximately 10 ¹⁵ –10 ¹⁶ hertz. Some animals, such as bees, are capable of seeing ultraviolet radiation invisible to the human eye.

2. See more at electromagnetic spectrum

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1. Ultraviolet light or the ultraviolet part of the spectrum.

2. See Note at infrared

Etymology

Origin of ultraviolet

First recorded in 1870–75; ultra- + violet

Compare meaning

How does ultraviolet compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• infrared vs. ultraviolet

Example Sentences

“Because they were doing this, they were able to talk about their feelings,” said Scrabeck, who helps run the school’s design lab and will use the funds for ultraviolet paint and other art supplies.

From Los Angeles Times

Bright or ultraviolet light, in particular, could cause irreversible damage to the letter.

From BBC

Known causes such as replication errors or ultraviolet damage have been documented for decades.

From Science Daily

However, its extreme ultraviolet radiation changes far more significantly, doubling between solar minimum and solar maximum.

From Science Daily

Under the arrangement, the Commerce Department would give the incentives to xLight, a startup trying to improve the critical chip-making process known as extreme ultraviolet lithography, the agency said in a Monday release.

From The Wall Street Journal