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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
Alpha particles are just the nuclei of helium atoms, beta particles are electrons, and gamma rays are a type of very high-frequency electromagnetic radiation.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024
One way to identify the sources is to backtrack the paths that high-energy cosmic neutrinos traveled on their way to Earth since they are created by cosmic rays colliding with matter or radiation, producing particles that then decay into neutrinos and gamma rays.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 June 2023
The Moon’s surface is not protected from solar particles and cosmic rays, particularly gamma rays, but here too, the tardigrades would be able to resist.
—Laurent Palka, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
The results were consistent with an association between the FRB and the gamma ray output.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 Oct. 2023
Seeing beyond visible light On the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum—the entire distribution of light in our universe, from gamma rays to radio waves—human beings can only see a small portion: a sliver of the spectrum called visible light that consists of our familiar rainbow of colors.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024
Introduction On December 11, 2021, a beam of gamma rays — the most energetic form of light — slammed into NASA’s Swift satellite.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023
At its lowest altitude of about 45 miles, the probe's gamma ray and neutron spectrometer will characterize the mineral composition across the asteroid's surface.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2023
Occasionally, gamma rays of sufficient energy will break apart a deuteron in the metal lattice into its constituent proton and neutron.
—Bayarbadrakh Baramsai, IEEE Spectrum, 27 Feb. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gamma ray.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1903, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Gamma ray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamma%20ray. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on gamma ray
Nglish: Translation of gamma ray for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gamma ray
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