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

In what would normally be the ultraviolet region, the spectrum showed a very steep rise.

From Science Daily

The new cover will have an outline of a maple leaf and visa pages will exhibit seasonal art that changes under ultraviolet light.

From Reuters

“In the sunlight at those altitudes, any complicated molecules will be broken down into constituent atoms and simple molecules by the ultraviolet wavelengths in the sunlight.”

From Washington Post

During a fly-by mission of Deimos on March 10, the Hope mission team scanned the planet's surface using instruments that detected light waves ranging from the infrared to the extreme ultraviolet, according to Nature.

From Salon

Mr. Hampton said the rocket was probably dumping fuel high enough in the atmosphere that ultraviolet light broke it down and dispersed the particles across the globe.

From New York Times