Doppler broadening

US/ˈdɔp.lɚ ˈbɹɔd.nɪŋ/US/ˈdɔp.lɚ ˈbɹɔd.ənˌɪŋ/

noun

The broadening of the spectral lines of a high-temperature or rapidly-rotating object due to redshifting of spectral lines from atoms and molecules moving away from the observer and blueshifting of spectral lines from atoms and molecules moving toward the observer.

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Meanings

noun
  1. natural sciencesThe broadening of the spectral lines of a high-temperature or rapidly-rotating object due to redshifting of spectral lines from atoms and molecules moving away from the observer and blueshifting of spectral lines from atoms and molecules moving toward the observer.

Origin

From being produced by the action of the Doppler effect on individual atoms and molecules.

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Cite this entry
APA

Doppler broadening. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Doppler%20broadening

MLA

“Doppler broadening.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Doppler%20broadening. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Doppler broadening,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Doppler%20broadening.

Source: Doppler broadening on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.