ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

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 noun

Examples of ultraviolet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Quilici said that the park also has ultraviolet lights that ‘‘kill every bug’’ in the water. —Elena Gastaldo, Idaho Statesman, 22 June 2024

In response to the outbreak, New York passed public health regulations that mandated splash pads have ultraviolet light systems to kill these microscopic germs, according to the CDC. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 14 June 2024

Some of these spiders seem to be able to control how ultraviolet light reflects off their body stripes. —Sarah Claire McDonald, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024

Signify — the parent company of the lighting giant Philips and a manufacturer of UVC chambers — told Vox sales have been up due to the bird flu outbreak. UV-emitting lamps could be the next step in the evolution of ultraviolet light on the farm. —Kenny Torrella, Vox, 4 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ultraviolet

• far-ultraviolet
• near-ultraviolet

Kids Definition

ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-ə-lət 

1

: located beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end and having a wavelength shorter than those of visible light but longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or using ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet noun

Medical Definition

ultraviolet

1 of 2 adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

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

2 of 2 noun

: ultraviolet radiation