wavelength
/ˈweɪvlɛŋ(k)θ
/ /ˈweɪvlɛn(t)θ/noun
1 Physics The distance between successive crests of a wave, especially points in a sound wave or electromagnetic wave: [count noun]: a range of wavelengths [mass noun]: an increase in wavelength (Symbol: λ) Visible light consists of a ‘rainbow’ or spectrum of electromagnetic waves of different wavelengths....
- Unfortunately, Earth's atmosphere blocks almost all wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum.
- The most powerful telescopes in the world, spanning all wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, were retooled and reprogrammed to observe the dying star.
1.1A wavelength as a distinctive feature of radio waves from a transmitter.The transmitter generates low FM signals, which have a long wavelength, considerably longer than the circuit board itself....
- The BBC had spread its music programming across its various wavelengths, but the late 1960s and the 1970s saw a movement for stations to be subject-specific.
2A person’s ideas and way of thinking, especially as it affects their ability to communicate with others: when we met we hit it off immediately—we’re on the same wavelength...
- Captain Ed and I are on the same wavelength!
- I think the President was on the same wavelength.
- ‘Most problems are a result of misunderstandings where partners are not operating on the same wavelength,’ said Barrie.