1. A decrease in the wavelength of light or other electromagnetic radiation emitted by an object moving toward an observer, causing the light to shift toward the blue end of the spectrum.
Usage: physics; astronomy; plural form of blueshift

1. To undergo or cause a blueshift; to shift toward shorter wavelengths due to relative motion toward an observer.
Usage: physics; astronomy; third-person singular present tense or plural form

Examples

• The light from the approaching star blueshifts as it moves toward Earth.
• Astronomers observe blueshifts in the spectra of galaxies moving in our direction.
• The blueshift effect demonstrates the Doppler shift for electromagnetic radiation.
• When an object moves toward us at high speed, its light blueshifts to shorter wavelengths.
• The blueshifts detected in certain quasars indicate their motion relative to our galaxy.