Definition of spectrum Spectrum

/spɛˈktɹʌm/ - [spektrum] - spec•trum

We found 17 definitions of spectrum from 8 different sources.

What does spectrum mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: spectrums
spectrum - an ordered array of the components of an emission or wave
		array an arrangement of aerials spaced to give desired directional characteristics
		spectrum line an isolated component of a spectrum formed by radiation at a uniform frequency
		absorption spectrum the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that has passed through a medium that absorbed radiation of certain wavelengths
		action spectrum the efficiency with which electromagnetic radiation produces a photochemical reaction plotted as a function of the wavelength of the radiation
		atomic spectrum (physics) a spectrum of radiation caused by electron transitions within an atom; the series of spectrum lines is characteristic of the element
		electromagnetic spectrum the entire frequency range of electromagnetic waves
		emission spectrum spectrum of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a self-luminous source
		infrared spectrum the spectrum of infrared radiation
		line spectrum a spectrum in which energy is concentrated at particular wavelengths; produced by excited atoms and ions as they fall back to a lower energy level
		mass spectrum a distribution of ions as shown by a mass spectrograph or a mass spectrometer
		microwave spectrum the part of the electromagnetic spectrum corresponding to microwaves
		radio-frequency spectrum, radio spectrum the entire spectrum of electromagnetic frequencies used for communications; includes frequencies used for radio and radar and television
		acoustic spectrum, sound spectrum the distribution of energy as a function of frequency for a particular sound source
		ultraviolet spectrum the spectrum of ultraviolet radiation
spectrum - a broad range of related objects or values or qualities or ideas or activities
		ambit, compass, reach, scope, orbit, range navigational instrument for finding directions

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Wiktionary

spectrum (Noun)
Specter, apparition.
spectrum (Noun)
A range; a continuous, infinite, one-dimensional set, possibly bounded by extremes.
spectrum (Noun)
Specifically, a range of colours representing light electromagnetic radiation of contiguous frequencies; hence electromagnetic spectrum , visible spectrum , ultraviolet spectrum, etc.
spectrum (Noun)
The pattern of absorption or emission of radiation produced by a substance when subjected to energy radiation, heat, electricity, etc..
spectrum (Noun)
The set of eigenvalues of a matrix.
spectrum (Noun)
Of a bounded linear operator A, the set of scalar values λ such that the operator A—λI, where I denotes the identity operator, does not have a bounded inverse; intended as a generalisation of the linear algebra sense.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

spectrum (n.)
An apparition; a specter.
spectrum (n.)
The several colored and other rays of which light is composed, separated by the refraction of a prism or other means, and observed or studied either as spread out on a screen, by direct vision, by photography, or otherwise. See Illust. of Light, and Spectroscope.
spectrum (n.)
A luminous appearance, or an image seen after the eye has been exposed to an intense light or a strongly illuminated object. When the object is colored, the image appears of the complementary color, as a green image seen after viewing a red wafer lying on white paper. Called also ocular spectrum.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

spectrum
A broad range of related objects or values or qualities or ideas or activities.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

spectrum
spek′trum, n. the image of something seen continued after the eyes are closed: the colours of light separated by a prism, and exhibited as spread out on a screen:—pl. Spec′tra.—n. Spec′trograph, an apparatus for photographing a spectrum.—adjs. Spectrograph′ic, -al.—n. Spectrog′raphy, the art of using the spectrograph.—adj. Spectrolog′ical.—adv. Spectrolog′ically.—ns. Spectrol′ogy, the division of physical science that embraces spectrum analysis: demonology; Spectrom′eter, an instrument like a spectroscope, by means of which the angular deviation of a ray of light in passing through a prism can be accurately measured.—adj. Spectromet′ric.—n. Spec′trophōne, an adaptation of the spectroscope, in which, on the principle of the radiophone, perception of a succession of sounds takes the place of observation by the eye.—adj. Spectrophon′ic.—ns. Spec′tro-polar′iscope, a polariscope combined with a spectroscope; Spec′troscope, an instrument for forming and examining spectra of luminous bodies, so as to determine their composition.—adjs. Spectroscōp′ic, -al.—adv. Spectroscōp′ically.—ns. Spec′troscōpist, one skilled in spectroscopy; Spec′troscōpy, the use of the spectroscope and the study of spectrum analysis. [L.,—specĕre, to see.]

Sailor's Word-BookThe Sailor's Word-Book ⛵

spectrum
The variously coloured image into which a ray of light is divided on being passed through a prism.

Wikipedia

"This article is about the visible spectrum. For all other uses see: Spectrum (disambiguation)"

The word spectrum was first used by scientists studying optics. They used the word to describe the rainbow of colors in visible light when separated using a prism.
disambiguation
A spectrum is a condition or value that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary infinitely within a continuum.