attenuation

[əˌtɛnjuˈeɪʃən]

attenuation Definition

  • 1the act of weakening or reducing the strength of something
  • 2the reduction in signal strength, power, or amplitude as a signal travels through a medium or over a distance

Using attenuation: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "attenuation" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The attenuation of the sound made it difficult to hear what was being said.

  • Example

    The attenuation of the radio signal made it hard to pick up the station.

  • Example

    The attenuation of the light as it passed through the atmosphere made the stars appear dimmer.

attenuation Synonyms and Antonyms

Phrases with attenuation

  • a measure of how much a material weakens or reduces the strength of a beam of radiation as it passes through

    Example

    The attenuation coefficient of lead is much higher than that of air.

  • a technique used in medical imaging to correct for the loss of signal strength as it passes through tissue

    Example

    Attenuation correction is an important step in obtaining accurate PET scans.

  • a type of signal distortion that occurs when a signal is weakened or reduced in strength as it travels through a medium

    Example

    Attenuation distortion can be a problem in long-distance telephone calls.

Origins of attenuation

from Latin 'attenuare', meaning 'to make thin'

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Summary: attenuation in Brief

'Attenuation' [əˌtɛnjuˈeɪʃən] refers to the weakening or reduction of something, such as signal strength or power. It can also refer to the reduction in amplitude of a signal as it travels through a medium or over a distance. Examples include the attenuation of sound, radio signals, and light. Phrases like 'attenuation coefficient' and 'attenuation correction' are used in specific technical contexts to describe measures and techniques for correcting or accounting for attenuation.