sound wave

noun

1

: sound entry 1 sense 1a

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

Shifts in weather patterns radiate outward to other regions of the globe like sound waves from a bell being rung, said climate and public health researcher Jeffrey Shaman of Columbia University during an El Niño media briefing last week. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

The mouth fiddle belongs to a family of instruments that are orally modulated, lending qualities of the human voice to the sound waves emitted by a vibrating string. — Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Universal Creative invested heavily in sound mitigation for the ride, but sound waves do weird things. — Robert Niles, Oc Register, 21 July 2026

Unlike ultrasound, which requires a medium through which sound waves can pass, X-rays can be used in a vacuum. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sound wave

• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• shortwave
• aftershave

Medical Definition

sound wave

noun

1

: sound sense 1

2

sound waves plural : longitudinal pressure waves especially when transmitting audible sound