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

Infrasound refers to sound waves far below the range of human hearing, similar to how the infrared range of light is far below the threshold of human eyesight. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 12 May 2025

These technologies include a bubble barrier that removes small fish trapped under barges or carried in their wake and an acoustic deterrent that creates painful sound waves. —Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025

Find the Find My Phone icon: Look for an icon that resembles a phone with sound waves around it. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Fads and fashion be darned; the principles that dictate the propagation of sound waves have existed since the beginning of creation. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025

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