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

Because the wavefunction itself cannot simply be measured, the researchers used an indirect technique called photoelectron spectroscopy.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy scans identified the chemical elements that make up the painting, including lead.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

Reflectance imaging spectroscopy was then used to measure how the materials interact with light.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

DR20 now includes integral field spectroscopy maps of 6 separate target regions covering 169 tiles and about 300,000 spectra.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

The regulator analyzes the air with spectroscopy, then separates the gasses by supercooling them.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir