Infrared radiation is similar to light but has a longer wavelength, so we cannot see it without special equipment.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Infrared equipment detects infrared radiation.
...searching with infra-red scanners for weapons and artillery.
infrared in British English
(ˌɪnfrəˈrɛd)
noun
1.
the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with a longer wavelength than light but a shorter wavelength than radio waves; radiation with wavelength between 0.8 micrometres and 1 millimetre
adjective
2.
of, relating to, using, or consisting of radiation lying within the infrared
infrared radiation
infrared in American English
(ˌɪnfrəˈrɛd; ˈɪnfrəˌrɛd)
adjective
designating or of those invisible rays just beyond the red end of the visible spectrum: their waves are longer than those of the spectrum colors but shorter than radio waves, and have a penetrating heating effect: used in cooking, photography, etc.
Examples of 'infrared' in a sentence
infrared
The technology uses infrared detection cameras to spot vehicles approaching that are higher than 4.1 metres.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It uses infrared light to capture hundreds of images within seconds.
The Sun (2011)
The infrared sensors on the bowl detect movement and open the lid as your pet approaches.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We might as well be urged to admire the colours in the infrared spectrum.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They hid infrared cameras to monitor office movements.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The laser is not visible to the naked eye because it is in the infrared spectrum.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The matchmaking programme is filmed entirely in the dark using infrared cameras.
The Sun (2006)
The infrared cameras captured these from all sides.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Most of this warming is in the form of infrared radiation which the earth gives off and the atmosphere absorbs.
Oliver Morton Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet (2007)
He came across infrared radiation by accident when splitting sunlight into its constituent colours by passing it through a prism.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It uses an infrared sensor to recognise when your appliances have gone into standby mode and turns them off to save energy.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That meant we had to work with only two light sources: the moon and infrared light.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Greenhouse gas: some gases can absorb infrared radiation and retain it in the atmosphere.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The suite of products covers video surveillance, ground sensors and infrared scanning.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The three elements monitor infrared light that bounces off objects in front of the camera, allowing it to detect depth.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
As lovers and photographic subjects, her men become passive and childlike beneath the distorting but clarifying light of her infrared process.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
It works by producing a sheet of infrared light, which acts as a barrier to keep mosquitoes out of a specific area.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Method A device emitting a beam of infrared light is rolled over the skin.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
An infrared camera films the bats without disturbing them and the public can watch on a giant screen from May to October.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There are technical solutions that mean we can do things better: inspecting the track with infrared cameras mounted on trains, for instance.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Two miles above, a Predator drone trained an infrared camera on him as he lay on his back and was joined by his wife and uncle.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Six days after the collapse, rescuers sent down an infrared camera which found what appeared to be eight survivors, one of whom waved at the camera.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
infrared
British English: infrared ADJECTIVE
Infrared radiation is similar to light but has a longer wavelength, so we cannot see it without special equipment.