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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mirrors bent reality into pretzels, sound waves became visible, pendulums drew elegant patterns in sand. Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025 Instead of diffusing it pulses like a sound wave, surging back and forth while the surrounding fluid remains still. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025 One of the most common is a transvaginal ultrasound, which uses sound waves to look at organs like your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. Erica Sloan, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025 Against all odds, a series of sound waves hit my tympanic membrane and created meaning. Adam Verner september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sound wave

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

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Cite this Entry

“Sound wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sound%20wave. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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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