GAMMA Definition & Meaning

gamma

[ gam-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the third letter of the Greek alphabet (Γ, γ).
the consonant sound represented by this letter.
the third in a series of items.
Gamma, Astronomy. a star that is usually the third brightest of a constellation:
The third brightest star in the Southern Cross is Gamma Crucis.
a unit of weight equal to one microgram.
Physics. a unit of magnetic field strength, equal to 10− 5 gauss.
Photography. a measure of the degree of development of a negative or print.
Television. an analogous numerical indication of the degree of contrast between light and dark in the reproduction of an image in television.
Chiefly British. a grade showing that an individual student is in the third, or lowest, of three scholastic sections in a class. Compare alpha ( def 8 ), beta ( def 9 ).

Gamma

/ ˈɡæ��ə /

noun

foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation the third brightest star in a constellation
Gamma Leonis

gamma

/ ˈɡæ��ə /

noun

the third letter in the Greek alphabet (Γ, γ), a consonant, transliterated as g. When double, it is transcribed and pronounced as ng
the third highest grade or mark, as in an examination
a unit of magnetic field strength equal to 10 ^–5oersted. 1 gamma is equivalent to 0.795 775 × 10 ^–3ampere per metre
photog television the numerical value of the slope of the characteristic curve of a photographic emulsion or television camera; a measure of the contrast reproduced in a photographic or television image
modifier
1. involving or relating to photons of very high energy
  a gamma detector
2. relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solid
  gamma iron
3. relating to one of two or more isomeric forms of a chemical compound, esp one in which a group is attached to the carbon atom next but one to the atom to which the principal group is attached

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of gamma¹

From the Greek word ��á��

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of gamma¹

C14: from Greek; related to Hebrew ��ī�� third letter of the Hebrew alphabet (probably: camel)

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Although humans can't see them, radio waves are a form of light in the sense that they are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which also includes X-rays and gamma rays.

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Meanwhile, the city of Berkeley is working toward examining its own survey for gamma radiation at Cesar Chavez Park, which was built atop the former municipal landfill.

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A gamma ray detector on a device developed by a Cornish company is being used to assess soil quality.

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The gamma rays detected on Earth tell us a great deal about these sources, since they travel through space undisturbed.

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Astrophysicists at the University of California, Berkeley, now argue that the axion could be discovered within seconds of the detection of gamma rays from a nearby supernova explosion.

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