ultrasonic

adjective

ul·​tra·​son·​ic ˌəl-trə-ˈsä-nik 

1

: having a frequency above the human ear's audibility limit of about 20,000 hertz

—used of waves and vibrations

2

: utilizing, produced by, or relating to ultrasonic waves or vibrations

ultrasonically

ˌəl-trə-ˈsä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Ultrasound, or ultrasonography, works on the principle that sound is reflected at different speeds by tissues or substances of different densities. Ultrasound technology has been used medically since the 1940s. Sonograms, the pictures produced by ultrasound, can reveal heart defects, tumors, and gallstones; since low-power ultrasonic waves don't present any risks to a body, they're most often used to display fetuses during pregnancy in order to make sure they're healthy. Ultrasonics has many other uses, including underwater sonar sensing. High-power ultrasonics are so intense that they're actually used for drilling and welding.

Examples of ultrasonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rear-seat detection feature uses ultrasonic sensors in the headliner to detect movement in the rear seats to avoid leaving a child or pet in the vehicle. —Doug Newcomb, PCMAG, 11 Dec. 2024

The Fingerprint Sensor And Monster Halo The iQOO 13 features an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that is both fast and reliable. —Prakhar Khanna, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

The 7 Best Cool Mist Humidifiers, Tested by Us Types of Humidifiers There are several types of humidifiers that are commonly used in residential homes to help manage the humidity levels, including cool-mist, evaporative, steam, ultrasonic, and warm-mist humidifiers. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Nov. 2024

Used in conjunction with items like an ultrasonic ranging module, joystick, and tilt switch, makers can build more complex mechanisms. —Bob Beacham, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ultrasonic

adjective

ul·​tra·​son·​ic ˌəl-trə-ˈsän-ik 

: relating to or being vibrations that are of the same kind as sound waves but have too high a frequency to be heard by the human ear

ultrasonically

-ˈsän-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

ultrasonic

adjective

ul·​tra·​son·​ic -ˈsän-ik 

1

a

: having a frequency above the human ear's audibility limit of about 20,000 hertz

—used of waves and vibrations

b

: utilizing, produced by, or relating to ultrasonic waves or vibrations

removal of tartar with an ultrasonic scaler

2

: ultrasound

ultrasonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb