Natural Phenomenon or Process
gamma rays
gam·ma rays
Subclass of:
Electromagnetic Radiation; Ionizing radiation
Definitions related to gamma rays:
  • A high-energy, short wavelength (shorter than X-ray), ionizing electromagnetic type of radiation emitted from the nucleus.
    CDISC Terminology
    Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), 2021
  • A type of high-energy radiation that is different from an x-ray.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Penetrating, high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from atomic nuclei during NUCLEAR DECAY. The range of wavelengths of emitted radiation is between 0.1 - 100 pm which overlaps the shorter, more energetic hard X-RAYS wavelengths. The distinction between gamma rays and X-rays is based on their radiation source.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • (gamma radiation) High energy photons emitted during nuclear reactions; major emission of 125-iodine and other radioisotopes useful in biochemistry because of their ease of scintillation counting.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • (gamma radiation) High-energy, short wavelength, ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus. Gamma radiation frequently accompanies alpha and beta emissions and always accompanies fission. Gamma rays are very penetrating and are best stopped or shielded by dense materials, such as lead or depleted uranium. Gamma rays are identical to x-rays and are only differentiated by their origin. (from NRC Glossary)
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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