# diffraction

> English word · Noun · IPA /dɪˈfɹækʃən/ · frequency rank #27,123

## Definitions
1. The bending of a wave around an obstacle.
2. The breaking up of an electromagnetic wave as it passes a geometric structure (e.g. a slit), followed by reconstruction of the wave by interference.

## Etymology
From New Latin diffrāctiō (in which coined by Francesco Maria Grimaldi), from Latin diffrāctus, past participle of Latin diffringo (“to shatter, to break into pieces”). Coined in Physico-mathesis de lumine (1665) by Francesco Maria Grimaldi.

## Easily confused with
- **distraction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/diffraction-vs-distraction)

## Common misspellings (16)
`ddiffraction`, `dfifraction`, `diffarction`, `diffracction`, `diffraciton`, `diffracsion`, `diffractino`, `diffractionn`, `diffractoin`, `diffracttion`, `diffratcion`, `diffrcation`, `diffrraction`, `difraction`, `difrfaction`, `idffraction`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/diffraction