Meaning & use
diffraction
The bending and spreading of waves, such as light or sound, as they pass around an obstacle or through a narrow opening.
See it in a sentence
Diffraction causes light to spread out slightly after passing through a narrow slit.
Scientists study diffraction patterns to determine the structure of crystals.
A note on using this word
Diffraction differs from refraction: diffraction involves bending around edges, while refraction involves bending through a change in medium.
Words with a similar meaning
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