spectral
adjective
spec·tral
ˈspek-trəl 
1
2
: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum
especially
: relating to or derived from the electromagnetic spectrum of visible light
Surfaces can differ in the proportion of incident light they reflect (dark ones reflect less than light ones) and in the spectral composition of the light they reflect. —
Principles Of Neural Science
Principles Of Neural Science Their examination supported the opinion that the stone was mined in India and cut in London. They also found that the spectral characteristics overlap those of known treated green diamonds. —Lapidary Journal
Lapidary Journal Examples of spectral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her music, especially live, seems intent on achieving this spectral effect.
—Elena Saavedra Buckley, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025
In reality, Tommy Johnson was unrelated to Robert, but the film’s character blends their mythologies into one spectral figure.
—Arkansas Online, 17 July 2025
Onset was settled as a summer camp for Spiritualists, down from Boston for cool bay breezes and the opportunity to commune with the spectral and the dead.
—Dwyer Murphy
may 16, Literary Hub, 16 May 2025
The team noticed that eureka moments seemed to be highly correlated with a steep EEG spectral slope—the steeper the slope, the more likely people were to get a breakthrough.
—ArsTechnica, 6 July 2025
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Elena Saavedra Buckley, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025
In reality, Tommy Johnson was unrelated to Robert, but the film’s character blends their mythologies into one spectral figure.
—Arkansas Online, 17 July 2025
Onset was settled as a summer camp for Spiritualists, down from Boston for cool bay breezes and the opportunity to commune with the spectral and the dead.
—Dwyer Murphy
may 16, Literary Hub, 16 May 2025
The team noticed that eureka moments seemed to be highly correlated with a steep EEG spectral slope—the steeper the slope, the more likely people were to get a breakthrough.
—ArsTechnica, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spectral
Cite this Entry
“Spectral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectral. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spectral
adjective
spec·tral
ˈspek-trəl
1
: of, relating to, or suggesting a specter : ghostly
2
: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum
Medical Definition
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