diffraction
noun/dɪˈfrækʃən/
Frequency rank: #12,384 of 20,003 in the WORDED list (wordfreq data)
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
More words in ranks 12,301–12,400
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- doorbellA bell or buzzer at the entrance of a building that visitors press to signal their arrival.
- eastboundtraveling or moving toward the east.