refraction

noun/rɪˈfrækʃən/

Frequency rank: #16,188 of 20,003 in the WORDED list (wordfreq data)

Meaning

The bending of a wave, such as light or sound, when it passes from one medium into another.

Illustration for the English word “refraction”

Example sentence

When light passes from air into water, refraction causes the straw to appear bent.

Synonyms & related words

More words in ranks 16,101–16,200