redshift

American  

[red-shift] / ˈrɛdˌʃɪft /

Or red shift

noun

Astronomy.

1. a shift toward longer wavelengths of the spectral lines emitted by a celestial object that is caused by the object moving away from the earth.

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redshift British  

/ ˈredˌʃɪft /

noun

1. Compare: blueshift. a shift in the lines of the spectrum of an astronomical object towards a longer wavelength (the red end of an optical spectrum), relative to the wavelength of these lines in the terrestrial spectrum, usually as a result of the Doppler effect caused by the recession of the object

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Etymology

Origin of redshift

First recorded in 1920–25; red ¹ + shift

Compare meaning

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

• redshift vs. blueshift

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

redshift

The absorption lines were "blueshifted" compared with the redshift of the galaxies themselves.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026

Researchers found a significant negative relationship between redshift and spectral age.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026

If so, the Saguaro could offer an important link between the large population of little red dots Webb sees at high redshift and the galaxies that populate the more recent universe.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

The galaxy sits at redshift 2, meaning astronomers see it as it appeared roughly 3.3 billion years after the Big Bang.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

The greater the redshift, the farther away and earlier in cosmic history an object appears.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026