sound wave

noun

1
2
sound waves plural : longitudinal pressure waves in any material medium regardless of whether they constitute audible sound
earthquake waves and ultrasonic waves are sometimes called sound waves

Examples of sound wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The closest analogy is sound waves traveling in a fluid. Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 20 June 2023 Soundwaves is a 501c3 art studio and philanthropic foundation that creates pieces of art from the sound waves of famous songs and moments by teaming with the talent behind those moments to autograph each piece. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2023 While the speed of its initial vibration affects the pitch of the sound wave, the strength of its initial vibration affects its intensity. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2023 The sound waves hit these five-foot-deep cones and get trapped. Charlotte Hu, Popular Science, 7 Sep. 2023 However, on other occasions, the sound waves survived the microscopic vacuum journey unaffected. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 23 Aug. 2023 Crawford’s looping forms suggest natural phenomena, whether sound waves, sand dunes, or animal skins and shells. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2023 Conventional—and bulky—ultrasound scanning machines use piezoelectric materials (which convert electrical signals into movement) to send out sound waves that penetrate the body. Simon Makin, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023 The Apollo wearable, for example, is a device worn on the wrist or ankle that emits silent, vibrating sound waves that reportedly help balance the nervous system. Jennifer Chesak, Verywell Health, 12 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sound wave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sound wave was in 1848

Dictionary Entries Near sound wave

Cite this Entry

“Sound wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sound%20wave. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

sound wave

noun
1
2
sound waves plural : longitudinal pressure waves especially when transmitting audible sound

More from Merriam-Webster on sound wave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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