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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With nothing but snow for sound waves to echo off, there’s an eerie silence. — Tyce Deyoung, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026 At the same 5-GHz frequency, a sound wave's wavelength collapses from centimeters, as is the case with light, to a couple of micrometers, roughly four orders of magnitude smaller. — New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026 The test uses sound waves to look at the parotid and submandibular glands. — Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 15 Sep. 2026 The device allows the sound waves to penetrate the skull without so much as a needle poke or incision and without causing any damage to surrounding bone or tissue in the process. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sound wave

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

Rhymes for sound wave

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Browse Nearby Words

sound-type
sound wave
sound wormy
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Cite this Entry

“Sound wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sound%20wave. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

sound wave

noun
1
: sound sense 1
2
sound waves plural : longitudinal pressure waves especially when transmitting audible sound
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