wavelength

American  

[wayv-lengkth, -length, -lenth] / ˈweɪvˌlɛŋkθ, -ˌlɛŋθ, -ˌlɛnθ /

Or wave length

noun

• wavelengths
  plural

1. Physics. the distance, measured in the direction of propagation of a wave, between two successive points in the wave that are characterized by the same phase of oscillation.

---

idioms

1. on the same wavelength, in sympathy or rapport.

   We seemed to be on the same wavelength from the moment we met.

wavelength British  

/ ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθ /

noun

1. λ. the distance, measured in the direction of propagation, between two points of the same phase in consecutive cycles of a wave

2. the wavelength of the carrier wave used by a particular broadcasting station

3. informal having similar views, feelings, or thoughts (as someone else)

---

wavelength Scientific  

/ wāv′lĕngkth′ /

1. The distance between one peak or crest of a wave and the next peak or crest. It is equal to the speed of the wave divided by its frequency, and to the speed of a wave times its period.

---

wavelength Cultural  

1. The distance between crests (or troughs) of a wave.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• wavelengths
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of wavelength

First recorded in 1855–60; wave + length

---

Explanation

A wavelength is the distance between two peaks in a wave. And, if you are on the same wavelength with someone else, you are in sync and share the same perspective. You can say, "My best friend and I are on the same wavelength," meaning you truly understand each other and tend to see the world in the same way. This meaning has been around since the 1920s, but originally wavelength had only its scientific definition, "the distance between two peaks of a wave." Wavelengths can be measured on anything that travels in waves, like sound, light, or water. The Old English root word is wagian, "to move back and forth."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wavelength wavelengths

It’s easier to see the good in other people and keep your distance if you don’t think they’re on the same wavelength.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 25, 2026

Shorter blue wavelengths scattering more easily, while more of the longer wavelength red light reaches the moon.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

Sunlight passing through the Earth's atmosphere is scattered, with shorter blue wavelengths scattering more easily, while more of the longer wavelength red light reach the Moon.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

"The expanded wavelength coverage our method offers will support many important atomic operations, making chip-scale atomic sensors, optical clocks, and ion-trap systems possible," Chen says.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

Kelton is on the same wavelength, because he’s pedaling right behind me.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Traditional spectrometers generally separate incoming light into its component wavelengths or use complex calculations to reconstruct its spectrum.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026

These interactions allow the elements to absorb a much wider range of light wavelengths than they would in less dense environments.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 19, 2026

They analyzed stellar spectra, which are produced by separating light into its component wavelengths, much as a prism divides sunlight into the colors of a rainbow.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 19, 2026

Astronomers identify these substances through spectroscopy, a method that separates light into different wavelengths to reveal the chemicals present.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

It is the placement of the nodes that determines which wavelengths "fit" into a musical instrument "container."

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• acumen
• intuition
• judgment
• observation
• understanding
• vision
• wisdom

---