1
a
: a particular auditory impression : tone
b
: the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing
c
: mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (such as air) and is the objective cause of hearing
2
a
: a speech sound
a peculiar r-sound
b
: value in terms of speech sounds
-cher of teacher and -ture of creature have the same sound
4
: hearing distance : earshot
within sound of your voice
5
: recorded auditory material
6
: a particular musical style characteristic of an individual, a group, or an area
the Nashville sound
sounded; sounding; sounds
1
a
: to cause to sound
sound a trumpet
2
: to put into words : voice
3
a
: to make known : proclaim
b
: to order, signal, or indicate by a sound
sound the alarm
4
: to examine by causing to emit sounds
sound the lungs
5
chiefly British
: to convey the impression of : sound like
that sounds a logical use of resources—Economist
1
2
: to make or convey an impression especially when heard
it sounds good to me
you sound just like your mother
1
a
: free from injury or disease
of sound mind
b
: free from flaw, defect, or decay
sound timber
2
3
a
: free from error, fallacy, or misapprehension
sound advice
sound reasoning
b
: exhibiting or based on thorough knowledge and experience
sound scholarship
c
: legally valid
a sound title
d
: logically valid and having true premises
a sound estimate
e
: agreeing with accepted views : orthodox
sound doctrine
4
5
: showing good judgment or sense
a sound advisor
: to the full extent : thoroughly
sound asleep
1
a
: a long broad inlet of the ocean generally parallel to the coast
b
: a long passage of water connecting two larger bodies (such as a sea with the ocean) or separating a mainland and an island
2
: the air bladder of a fish
sounded; sounding; sounds
1
: to measure the depth of : fathom
2
: to try to find out the views or intentions of : probe
—often used with out
3
: to explore or examine (a body cavity) with a sound
1
a
: to ascertain the depth of water especially with a sounding line
b
: to look into or investigate the possibility
sent commissioners … to sound for peace—Thomas Jefferson
2
: to dive down suddenly
—used of a fish or whale
: an elongated instrument for exploring or sounding body cavities
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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