rɪfˈrækʃən

Definitions

1. noun

the bending of light as it passes from one medium into another, especially when passing from air into a denser substance such as glass or water.

“The refraction of light through a prism caused the colors to spread out.”

2. noun

a change in direction of a wave or a beam of particles as it passes from one medium into another.

“The refraction of seismic waves helped scientists to understand the Earth’s internal structure.”

3. noun

a bending or deviation of a beam of particles, especially a stream of electrons or neutrons, as it passes from one medium into another.

“The refraction of the particle beam caused it to miss the target.”

4. noun

the act or process of refracting.

“The refraction of light was an essential aspect of the optical instrument’s design.”

5. verb

to bend or change the direction of a beam of particles, especially light, as it passes from one medium into another.

“The light was refracted as it passed through the prism.”

6. verb

to cause or result in a bending or deviation of a beam of particles, especially a stream of electrons or neutrons, as it passes from one medium into another.

“The magnetic field refracted the neutron beam.”