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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
The baby black hole would produce jets of highly energetic particles moving near the speed of light, powerful enough to pierce through the remains of the progenitor star, emitting X-rays and gamma rays.
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Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 26 July 2024
The higher energy beams, like gamma rays, could even penetrate suits, affecting astronauts and equipment alike.
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Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 23 July 2024
Also produced in lesser amounts are gamma rays, which don’t cause much tissue damage but allow healthcare providers to track in real time where the drug is distributed in the body.
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Discover Magazine, 8 July 2024
The Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission features a gamma-ray telescope that will scan the sky to study gamma rays emitted by the explosions of massive stars and the end of their lives.
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Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 July 2024
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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 Aug. 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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