diffract

verb

dif·​fract di-ˈfrakt How to pronounce diffract (audio)
diffracted; diffracting; diffracts

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo diffraction

Examples of diffract in a Sentence

Light is diffracted when it passes through a prism.
Recent Examples on the Web This was bolstered by Max Von Laue's Nobel Prize-winning discovery that crystals could diffract x-rays. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 26 Dec. 2023 For example, a diffractive optical neural network is composed of a stack of layers, each possessing thousands of pixels that can diffract, or scatter, light. IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2022 The starburst is created by sunlight diffracting into uniform rays on the camera’s sensor. Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 7 May 2023 For example, a diffractive optical neural network is composed of a stack of layers, each possessing thousands of pixels that can diffract, or scatter, light. IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2022 The telescope sits right on the edge of the sunflower’s shadow, where the petals bend and diffract the few photons of light that get through. Chris Wright, Wired, 4 Jan. 2022 The structures diffract colors of light differently and set up interference effects. Quanta Magazine, 21 June 2021 The smoke plumes also diffract light, causing a hazy appearance in the sky and reducing visibility of distant objects, the department said. From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 28 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diffract.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from diffraction

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diffract was in 1803

Dictionary Entries Near diffract

Cite this Entry

“Diffract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diffract. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

diffract

verb
dif·​fract dif-ˈrakt How to pronounce diffract (audio)
: to cause to go through diffraction

Medical Definition

diffract

transitive verb
dif·​fract dif-ˈrakt How to pronounce diffract (audio)
: to cause to undergo diffraction
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