sine wave

noun

: a waveform that represents periodic oscillations in which the amplitude of displacement at each point is proportional to the sine of the phase angle of the displacement and that is visualized as a sine curve : sine curve
also : a wave so represented

Examples of sine 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.
These include both simple sine waves (which in acoustics are pure tones) and more complicated waves that are combinations of sine waves. Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 19 July 2024 The book describes the relationship between naval power and the rise of civilizations dating back to antiquity, and pieces together a sine wave, during which a civilization rises to greatness, denudes its forests, loses naval power, and ultimately its empire. Eugene Linden, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024 Classical harmonic analysis, which forms the foundation for signal processing in the real world, is all about decomposing signals into sine waves of different frequencies and phases. Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024 One of the most surprising comments Nolan made about his films, however, was the source for his use of the Shephard tone, a sound that creates the illusion of ascending or descending in pitch through the superposition of sine waves, which are separated by octaves. Tatiana Tenreyro, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sine wave 

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sine wave was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near sine wave

Cite this Entry

“Sine wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sine%20wave. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!