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
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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 At the press site, a pressure wave of a sonic boom came in with a double punch to the eardrums, followed by the roar of the engines from the pad only 3 miles away and the whistling echo bouncing off the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, making a sound reminiscent of bottle rockets. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pressure wave

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pressure wave was in 1942

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Cite this Entry

“Pressure wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pressure%20wave. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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)

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