wavelength
A wavelength is the distance between two points on a wave as it moves through space or time.
When we talk about light or sound waves, we often use the word "wavelength" to describe how long or short they are. Imagine you're standing by the ocean and watching the waves roll in - each wave has its own size, from big and chunky to small and wispy. That size is called the wavelength of that particular wave. Scientists care about this because it affects how the light or sound behaves when it reaches our eyes or ears. For example, shorter wavelengths might be more energetic and visible as bright colors, while longer ones could be softer and warmer like a sunset glow.
How common is "wavelength"?
It appears most frequently in magazine texts and less often in other writings.
noun
The length of a single cycle of a wave, as measured by the distance between one peak or trough of a wave and the next; it is often designated in physics as λ, and corresponds to the velocity of the wave divided by its frequency.
Real examples of "wavelength" in context
