resonance

noun

res·​o·​nance ˈre-zə-nən(t)s 

ˈrez-nən(t)s

1

a

: the quality or state of being resonant

b(1)

: a vibration of large amplitude in a mechanical or electrical system caused by a relatively small periodic stimulus of the same or nearly the same period as the natural vibration period of the system

(2)

: the state of adjustment that produces resonance in a mechanical or electrical system

2

a

: the intensification and enriching of a musical tone by supplementary vibration

b

: a quality imparted to voiced sounds by vibration in anatomical resonating chambers or cavities (such as the mouth or the nasal cavity)

c

: a quality of richness or variety

d

: a quality of evoking response

how much resonance the scandal seems to be having

—U.S. News & World Report

3

: the sound elicited on percussion of the chest

4

: the conceptual alternation of a chemical species (such as a molecule or ion) between two or more equivalent allowed structural representations differing only in the placement of electrons that aids in understanding the actual state of the species as an amalgamation of its possible structures and the usually higher-than-expected stability of the species

5

a

: the enhancement of an atomic, nuclear, or particle reaction or a scattering event by excitation of internal motion in the system

b

: magnetic resonance

6

: an extremely short-lived elementary particle

7

: a synchronous gravitational relationship of two celestial bodies (such as moons) that orbit a third (such as a planet) which can be expressed as a simple ratio of their orbital periods

Did you know?

Resonance Uses Beyond Sound

Many of the finest musical instruments possess a high degree of resonance which, by producing additional vibrations and echoes of the original sound, enriches and amplifies it. Violins made by the Italian masters Stradivari and Guarneri possess a quality of resonance that later violinmakers have never precisely duplicated. And you may have noticed how a particular note will start something in a room buzzing, as one of the touching surfaces begins to resonate with the note. Because of that, resonance and resonate—along with the adjective resonant—aren't always used to describe sound. For example, you may say that a novel resonates strongly with you because the author seems to be describing your own experiences and feelings.

Examples of resonance in a Sentence

the resonance of the singer's voice

His story didn't have much resonance with the audience.

Recent Examples on the Web

But for many, Black Cowboy culture doesn’t hold an equal resonance, especially with a flag involved. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024

Still, the film’s commercial success speaks to its wide reach and resonance. —Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

So, as if Springsteen tours weren’t already irregular enough, the fresh resumption of this U.S. tour, after a six-month timeout, has an extra resonance. —Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024

Even the meeting’s location had a sinister resonance: Potsdam is not far from Wannsee, where the Nazis drew up plans for the logistics of the Holocaust in January 1942. —Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024

For some listeners, The Downward Spiral offers a deeper resonance of individual struggles, embracing teen angst and going beyond the simple bait-love-and-desire of plastic chart pop. —Adam Steiner, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024

So, in 1955, scientists started measuring seconds using the resonance of cesium atoms, a more stable timekeeping method. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024

Thirdly, the key to brand resonance at New York Fashion Week is its mastery of storytelling. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

For all the resonances Civil War has with U.S. politics in the 2020s, Henderson, a longtime veteran of screen and stage, also saw historical parallels. —EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resonaunce, from Middle French resonance, from resoner to resound — more at resound

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing resonance

• magnetic resonance
• functional magnetic resonance imaging
• magnetic resonance imaging
• nuclear magnetic resonance

Kids Definition

resonance

noun

res·​o·​nance ˈrez-ᵊn-ən(t)s 

-nən(t)s

1

: the quality or state of being resonant

2

: a reinforcement of sound (as a musical tone) in a vibrating body or system caused by waves from another body vibrating at nearly the same rate

3

: a vibrating quality of a voice sound

Medical Definition

resonance

noun

res·​o·​nance ˈrez-ᵊn-ən(t)s, ˈrez-nən(t)s 

1

: a quality imparted to voiced sounds by vibration in anatomical resonating chambers or cavities (as the mouth or the nasal cavity)

2

: the sound elicited on percussion of the chest

3

: the conceptual alternation of a chemical species (as a molecule or ion) between two or more equivalent allowed structural representations differing only in the placement of electrons that aids in understanding the actual state of the species as an amalgamation of its possible structures and the usually higher-than-expected stability of the species

4

a

: the enhancement of an atomic, nuclear, or particle reaction or a scattering event by excitation of internal motion in the system

b

: magnetic resonance see electron spin resonance