sound wave
noun
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 expansion generates a shock wave, which creates a booming sound wave, or thunder.
—
Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
Height enriches singing with a longer path of travel for sound waves, thereby prolonging sound.
—Lynn Whidden, Scientific American, 26 July 2024
Bats are known for navigating their surroundings by way of echolocation, using sound waves to help locate objects and prey.
—Byrodrigo Pérez Ortega, science.org, 14 Aug. 2024
The Pregnant Person's BMI Because adipose tissue (aka body fat) impacts how sound travels, excess body fat can affect an ultrasound's ability to pick up sound waves and create a clear image.
—Robin Elise Weiss, Phd, Parents, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sound wave 
Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
Height enriches singing with a longer path of travel for sound waves, thereby prolonging sound.
—Lynn Whidden, Scientific American, 26 July 2024
Bats are known for navigating their surroundings by way of echolocation, using sound waves to help locate objects and prey.
—Byrodrigo Pérez Ortega, science.org, 14 Aug. 2024
The Pregnant Person's BMI Because adipose tissue (aka body fat) impacts how sound travels, excess body fat can affect an ultrasound's ability to pick up sound waves and create a clear image.
—Robin Elise Weiss, Phd, Parents, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sound wave
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Sound wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sound%20wave. Accessed 30 Sep. 2024.
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