diffraction
noun/dɪˈfrækʃən/
Frequency rank: #12,384 most common English word
Meaning
the bending and spreading of waves, such as light or sound, when they pass through a narrow opening or around an obstacle.
Example sentence
When light passes through a narrow slit, diffraction causes the beam to spread out and form a pattern of bands.
Synonyms & related words
- scattering
- bending
- dispersion
- spreading
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