spectroscopy

noun

spec·​tros·​co·​py spek-ˈträ-skə-pē How to pronounce spectroscopy (audio)
1
: the process or technique of using a spectroscope or spectrometer
2
: the production and investigation of spectra

Examples of spectroscopy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Furthermore, it was tested on a solid-electrolyte material, lithium lanthanum zirconate, using electron microscopy, machine learning, and advanced spectroscopy. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026 While that sounds much more intuitive, a technique called X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy reveals that what’s on the surface might not be the whole story. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 11 June 2026 The astronomers used high-resolution spectroscopy, orbital motion, and even theoretical simulations to interpret the stars' chemical and orbital characteristics. — Julian Dossett, Space.com, 27 May 2026 Such spectroscopy is a powerful technique for in-depth studies of celestial objects, capable of revealing their rotation, motion, composition, distance, and much more. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for spectroscopy

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectroscopy was in 1869

Phrases Containing spectroscopy

Rhymes for spectroscopy

See All Rhymes for spectroscopy

Browse Nearby Words

spectroscopic parallax
spectroscopy
spectrous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spectroscopy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectroscopy. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

spectroscopy

noun
spec·​tros·​co·​py spek-ˈträs-kə-pē How to pronounce spectroscopy (audio)
plural spectroscopies
1
a
: the production and investigation of spectra
b
: the process or technique of using a spectroscope or spectrometer
2
: physics that deals with the theory and interpretation of interactions between matter and radiation (as electromagnetic radiation)

More from Merriam-Webster on spectroscopy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spectroscopy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of yaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All