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rarefaction

noun
rar路​e路​fac路​tion | \ 藢rer-蓹-藞fak-sh蓹n How to pronounce rarefaction (audio) \

Definition of rarefaction

1 : the action or process of rarefying
2 : the quality or state of being rarefied
3 : a state or region of minimum pressure in a medium traversed by compressional waves (such as sound waves)
Other Words from rarefaction Example Sentences Learn More about rarefaction

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Other Words from rarefaction

rarefactional \ 藢rer-​蓹-​藞fak-​shn蓹l How to pronounce rarefactional (audio) , -​sh蓹-​n岬妉 \ adjective

Examples of rarefaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 For rarity, for sheer automotive rarefaction, the flagship of BMW鈥檚 2 billion-euro i Division makes those cars look like link sausage. — Dan Neil, WSJ, "The Avant-Garde BMW i8: Bavaria鈥檚 Answer to Tesla," 31 Aug. 2017 Here is art that turns confectionery into both rarefaction and panache. — Alastair Macaulay, New York Times, "On the Frivolities of Ballet, the Contradictory Art," 19 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rarefaction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of rarefaction

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for rarefaction

French or Medieval Latin; French rar茅faction, from Medieval Latin rarefaction-, rarefactio, from Latin rarefacere to rarefy

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More Definitions for rarefaction

rarefaction

noun
rar路​e路​fac路​tion | \ 藢rar-蓹-藞fak-sh蓹n, 藢rer- How to pronounce rarefaction (audio) \

Medical Definition of rarefaction

1 : the action or process of rarefying
2 : the quality or state of being rarefied especially : an increase in porosity areas of rarefaction in the bones
3 : a state or region of minimum pressure in a medium transversed by compressional waves (as sound waves) the eardrum vibrates according to the compressions and rarefactions of the sound wave

Other Words from rarefaction

rarefactional \ -​shn蓹l, -​sh蓹n-​岬妉 How to pronounce rarefactional (audio) \ adjective

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