absorption line

noun

: a dark line in an absorption spectrum

Examples of absorption line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Early on, astronomers looked at optical light, specifically strong absorption lines from hot, young A-type stars, combined with a distinct lack of emission lines that signal active star formation. Paul Sutter, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026 This shows up in quasar and galactic absorption lines, as illustrated above, in what’s known as the Lyman-α forest. Big Think, 6 Mar. 2026 When comparing the results, they were stunned to discover several previously undescribed samarium absorption lines. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2025 When astronomers examined the spectrum of Van Maanen 2 on one of these plates, they were astonished to see spectral features usually associated with much more massive stars—namely, a strong calcium absorption line in the star’s atmosphere. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025 By the time the universe was about 1 billion years old, those absorption lines fade out, indicating the disappearance of the last remaining neutral hydrogen. Bydaniel Clery, science.org, 10 Sep. 2024 The only requirement is the presence of an atom with an x-ray absorption line covered by the x-ray probe’s spectrum, making elements like silicon viable candidates for exploration. IEEE Spectrum, 9 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absorption line was in 1861

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Cite this Entry

“Absorption line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorption%20line. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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