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 The new lounge features high-tech offerings like the Mid-Sync Lounger, with sound wave therapy and zero gravity positioning. Abigail Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2024 After seeing multiple doctors, she was finally diagnosed by a cardiologist who performed a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) test, which photographs the heart using high frequency sound waves. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2024 Its bottle was carved from a block of wood to approximate a three-dimensional rendering of a sound wave. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2024 Basically, the Oh! is a vibrator powered by sound waves. Victoria Song, The Verge, 12 Jan. 2024 Bobbing in choppy seas off the coast of San Diego, California, acoustic physicist Carl F. Eyring and his colleagues, who had been tasked with studying a sonar device the navy could use to detect German submarines, were sending sound waves into the deep. WIRED, 9 Dec. 2023 This results in overtones, akin to the overtones of sound waves produced by a guitar or piano. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Oct. 2023 Most importantly, the transducers produce sound waves from the front of the display. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2024 Sonar — which is short for Sound Navigation and Ranging — is a mapping technique that uses sound waves for various purposes, including to detect objects beneath the surface of the water. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sound wave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near sound wave

Cite this Entry

“Sound wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sound%20wave. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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