spectroscopy

American  

[spek-tros-kuh-pee, spek-truh-skoh-pee] / spɛkˈtrɒs kə pi, ˈspɛk trəˌskoʊ pi /

noun

1. the science that deals with the use of the spectroscope and with spectrum analysis.

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spectroscopy British  

/ spɛkˈtrɒskəpɪ /

noun

1. the science and practice of using spectrometers and spectroscopes and of analysing spectra, the methods employed depending on the radiation being examined. The techniques are widely used in chemical analysis and in studies of the properties of atoms, molecules, ions, etc

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spectroscopy Scientific  

/ spĕk-trŏs′kə-pē /

1. The analysis of spectra, especially light or mass spectra, to determine properties of their source.

2. ◆ In light or optical spectroscopy, the spectrum of a light source is analyzed through a spectroscope to determine atomic composition of a substance. In astronomy, phenomena such as red shift can also be analyzed.

3. ◆ In mass spectroscopy, a spectroscope is used to determine the composition of ions or charged molecules in a sample. Spectroscopy is also called spectrography.

4. See also atomic spectrum spectroscope

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spectroscopy Cultural  

1. The branch of science devoted to discovering the chemical composition of materials by looking at the light (and other kinds of electromagnetic radiation) they emit. Scientists use spectroscopy to determine the nature of distant stars and galaxies as well as to identify and monitor the production of products in factories.

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Other Word Forms

• spectroscopist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of spectroscopy

First recorded in 1865–70; spectro- + -scopy

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spectroscopy

To measure the Sun's silver content, the researchers studied sunlight through spectroscopy.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026

Traditional techniques, including advanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, could not fully determine how key parts of the molecules were arranged.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 6, 2026

Researchers also used Raman spectroscopy to examine the fossils' chemical makeup.

From Science Daily ● May 12, 2026

Using synchrotron infrared spectroscopy, researchers detected traces of original proteins preserved within the fossil's bone, cartilage, and skin.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 23, 2026

In like manner, he did work in optics that transformed our understanding of light and laid the foundation for the science of spectroscopy, and again chose not to share the results for three decades.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson