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

What started as a curiosity about bubbles might soon become a new pillar of noninvasive medicine—a future in which surgeons wield not scalpels, but sound waves. —IEEE Spectrum, 22 Dec. 2025

The vehicles' audio systems generate sound waves to counteract or eliminate the noise. —Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 13 Dec. 2025

By carefully shaping intense sound waves, researchers have learned how to suspend droplets, particles, and small solids in mid-air. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025

The pictures accompanying the post included a shot of Olender in a hospital bed as well as a photograph of his echocardiogram, a picture of the heart using sound waves. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 8 Dec. 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