ultraviolet
adjective
ul·tra·vi·o·let
| \ ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət
\
\
Definition of ultraviolet
1
: situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end
—used of radiation having a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer than those of X-rays
2
: relating to, producing, or employing ultraviolet radiation
Keep scrolling for more
Examples of ultraviolet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some think that ultraviolet light falling on the early Earth provided the energy needed to make the complex organic molecules that were life’s precursors. — The Economist, "Astronomers are probing faraway planets with greater sophistication," 3 Aug. 2019 On Friday, Police Chief Michel Moore unveiled a robot that uses high-intensity light to kill germs in rooms and another device that uses ultraviolet rays to kill germs on shoes. — Mark Puente, latimes.com, "Following rat infestation, LAPD deploys robot to sanitize Central Division station," 28 June 2019 There are basically two ways to give clear or transparent finishes a way to thwart ultraviolet rays. — Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, "Two enemies of outdoor wooden sculptures: Rain and sun," 24 June 2019 The main risk factor for melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet radiation -- UVA and UVB -- from sunlight or tanning beds. — Naseem S. Miller, orlandosentinel.com, "Skin cancer in Florida: What you need to know," 18 July 2019 While the exact cause isn’t confirmed, exposure to ultraviolet radiation (ie. — Claudia Harmata, PEOPLE.com, "Summer House’s New Mom Ashley Wirkus Reveals She Had Skin Cancer in Candid Post," 17 July 2019 Antony Young, emeritus professor of experimental photobiology at King's College London, warns that most of the damage caused by ultraviolet radiation is not visible to the naked eye. — Nina Avramova, CNN, "How your health is at risk during a heatwave," 28 June 2019 These magnetic fields lead to the emission of high energy X-ray and ultraviolet radiation, which is generally known as a star's energy. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Why Aren't There More Habitable Planets? Blame Red Dwarfs," 25 Apr. 2019 Other red pigments, meanwhile, either start off dull (oxides of iron) or fade to dullness unless given special protection from ultraviolet light (Pigment Red 254, the source of Ferraris’ characteristic scarlet livery). — The Economist, "A team of chemists are searching for a new red pigment," 11 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ultraviolet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for ultraviolet
ultraviolet
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of ultraviolet
technical
—used to describe rays of light that cannot be seen and that are slightly shorter than the rays of violet light
See the full definition for ultraviolet in the English Language Learners Dictionary
ultraviolet
adjective
ul·tra·vi·o·let
| \ ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-ə-lət
\
\
Kids Definition of ultraviolet
: relating to, producing, or being energy that is like light but has a slightly shorter wavelength and lies beyond the violet end of the spectrum
ultraviolet
adjective
ul·tra·vi·o·let
| \ ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət
\
\
Medical Definition of ultraviolet
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end
—used of radiation having a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer than those of X-rays
2
: relating to, producing, or employing ultraviolet radiation
ultraviolet
nounMedical Definition of ultraviolet (Entry 2 of 2)
: ultraviolet radiation
Keep scrolling for more