S wave
noun
: a wave (as from an earthquake) in which the propagated disturbance is a shear in an elastic medium (such as the earth) compare pressure wave
Examples of S wave in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hough explains further that while the waves themselves travel the same way, in the sense that a P wave is still a P wave, and a S wave is still a S wave, however, their speeds and amplitudes will change depending on the rock type.
—
Allison Chinchar, CNN, 20 Dec. 2022
In an earthquake, P waves — or compressional waves — arrive first but usually don’t cause much damage; they’re followed by the S wave, or shear wave.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2022
Also, earthquakes produce two different types of waves: a P wave followed by a stronger, lower-frequency S wave.
—Popular Science, 11 Aug. 2020
Allison Chinchar, CNN, 20 Dec. 2022
In an earthquake, P waves — or compressional waves — arrive first but usually don’t cause much damage; they’re followed by the S wave, or shear wave.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2022
Also, earthquakes produce two different types of waves: a P wave followed by a stronger, lower-frequency S wave.
—Popular Science, 11 Aug. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'S wave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near S wave
Cite this Entry
“S wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/S%20wave. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
S wave
noun
: the negative downward deflection in the QRS complex of an electrocardiogram that follows the R wave
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share