gamma ray

noun

: a photon emitted spontaneously by a radioactive substance
also : a photon of higher energy than that of an X-ray

Examples of gamma ray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Scientists knew about two kinds of gamma ray emission created by these storms: terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs), which are bright and last for fractions of a millisecond; and gamma ray glows, which are dimmer but persist for seconds to minutes. Hannah Richter, science.org, 2 Oct. 2024 But other sources, like quasars, supernovae and gamma ray bursts, can fire off particles at extremely high energies. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2024 Sensitive instruments onboard the plane detected hundreds of events producing gamma rays in storms over the Caribbean and Central America. Rudy Molinek, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 These tardigrades were exposed to heavy doses of gamma rays—high-energy photons that are one form of ionizing radiation—and researchers then studied how their systems responded. Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gamma ray 

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gamma ray was in 1903

Dictionary Entries Near gamma ray

Cite this Entry

“Gamma ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamma%20ray. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

gamma ray

noun
: a ray that is like an X-ray but of higher energy and that is given off especially by a radioactive substance

Medical Definition

gamma ray

noun
: a photon emitted spontaneously by a radioactive substance
also : a high-energy photon
usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on gamma ray

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