Ultraviolet light or radiation is what causes your skin to become darker in colour after you have been in sunlight. In large amounts ultraviolet light is harmful.
The sun's ultraviolet rays are responsible for both tanning and burning.
ultraviolet in British English
(ˌʌltrəˈvaɪəlɪt)
noun
1.
the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths shorter than light but longer than X-rays; in the range 0.4 × 10–6 and 1 × 10–8 metres
adjective
2.
of, relating to, or consisting of radiation lying in the ultraviolet
ultraviolet radiation
Abbreviation: UV
ultraviolet in American English
(ˌʌltrəˈvaɪəlɪt)
adjective
1.
pertaining to a band of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths (from c. 5 to c. 400 nanometers) that are shorter than violet light
2.
of, pertaining to, or producing radiation of such wavelengths
noun
3.
ultraviolet radiation
Examples of 'ultraviolet' in a sentence
ultraviolet
We already know that ultraviolet light increases the risk of skin cancer.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Without this protective blanket the ultraviolet radiation would be very harmful indeed to human and animal health.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You can enhance faded parts with an ultraviolet light effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Wear sunglasses for protection from ultraviolet rays.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The uranium gives it a yellow or green colour and makes it glow under ultraviolet light.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Why is there such concern about ultraviolet radiation?
McKenzie, James F. & Pinger, Robert R. An Introduction to Community Health (1995)
Closing the eyes is no protection against the ultraviolet rays.
Brumberg, Elaine Take Care of Your Skin (1990)
The code can be read under an ultraviolet light by police to prove whether property is stolen.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The main cause is ultraviolet radiation from the sun or sunbeds.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
One quite plausible possibility is the absorption of ultraviolet light.
Oliver Morton Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet (2007)
It is already well established that ultraviolet radiation produces free radicals in tissue.
Youngson, Dr. Robert The Antioxidant Health Plan (1994)
But one other thing that helps is ultraviolet light.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Construction workers are at higher risk due to long spells working in direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays reflected from surfaces.
The Sun (2011)
One puzzle was how the bacteria could survive the intense ultraviolet rays of the sunshine so high up in the atmosphere.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This stratospheric ozone layer filters out much of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
McKenzie, James F. & Pinger, Robert R. An Introduction to Community Health (1995)
He also wears a special vest to block the sun 's ultraviolet rays.
The Sun (2006)
They repair damage from day-to-day factors such as stress and harmful ultraviolet rays.
The Sun (2010)
It survived heat, radiation and ultraviolet light.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
When some clothes get wet, they stretch and allow more ultraviolet rays through to your skin.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
That's enough to produce the red bed rust and enough to begin establishing an ozone layer that could block ultraviolet radiation.
Levenson, Thomas Ice Time: Climate, Science, and Life on Earth (1990)
We need the ozone shield to protect life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The oxygen formed ozone, shielding the sun 's ultraviolet rays and allowing many classes of life to emerge in newly formed coastal shelves.
The Sun (2015)
A layer of ozone gas in the stratosphere helps to protect the Earth from the full onslaught of the sun 's ultraviolet radiation.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
ultraviolet
British English: ultraviolet ADJECTIVE
Ultraviolet light makes your skin to become darker in colour.