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

Another investigated how Moon dust gets electrically charged and levitated when exposed to ultraviolet light. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2025

This experiment is aimed at examining how moon dust is electrically charged and raised when exposed to ultraviolet light. —Tariq Malik, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2025

The picture, snapped by the Hubble Space Telescope, reveals Jupiter shining in ultraviolet light. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

Though ultraviolet light from the first stars is believed to have been key to the reionization process, scientists have long suspected other sources of high-energy light must have been at work, too. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025

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