WAV

noun

ˈwāv 

: a usually uncompressed lossless computer file format used for the storage of digital audio data

MP3 involves lossy compression, which means that MP3 files are not the same as the original WAV files found on CDs.

—Mark Chussil, PC Magazine, 20 Feb. 2001

Word History

Etymology

from the filename extension, shortened from WAVE, short for Waveform Audio File Format

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

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