pressure wave

noun

: a wave (such as a sound wave) in which the propagated disturbance is a variation of pressure in a material medium

called also P-wave

Examples of pressure wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the space rock plunged through Earth’s atmosphere, the pressure wave caused sonic booms that were heard by some people in the area. —Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026

There are two types of shockwave therapy, including radial shockwave therapy which disperses the pressure waves over a wider, shallower area, and focused shockwave therapy that targets the pressure at a precise point. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026

Alpha's first-stage booster broke apart just after stage separation, generating a pressure wave that affected the upper stage's thrust. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 1 Mar. 2026

The resulting pressure wave damaged the upper stage’s engine nozzle extension. —Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pressure wave

• aftershave
• architrave
• autoclave
• microwave
• misbehave
• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave

Medical Definition

pressure wave

noun

: a wave (as a sound wave) in which the propagated disturbance is a variation of pressure in a material medium (as air)