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

Next, the team scanned the borehole with gamma rays. —Brent Crane, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025

Being exposed to gamma rays has clearly been no walk in the park for Bruce Banner. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025

Where do neutrinos come from? High-energy neutrinos arise from particle collisions occurring in violent events such as a black hole eating matter or bursts of gamma rays during the explosive deaths of stars. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

Together, the two research groups pointed almost 20 different telescopes besides the Einstein Probe at the new incident, spanning optical, radio, gamma ray, ultraviolet and near-infrared wavelengths. —Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gamma ray

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

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