Meaning & use
acoustic wave
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablephysicstechnical
A traveling disturbance that carries sound energy through air, water, or another material.
Grammar: Plural is acoustic waves; more technical than the everyday sound wave.
Patterns
- an acoustic wave travels
- acoustic waves in water
- generate an acoustic wave
An acoustic wave moves faster through water than through air.
The sensor detected acoustic waves coming from the engine.
Word forms
| plural | acoustic waves |
|---|
Common combinations
- acoustic wave propagation
- The model explains acoustic wave propagation through concrete.
- underwater acoustic wave
- An underwater acoustic wave can carry signals across long distances.
- acoustic wave sensor
- The acoustic wave sensor warned of cracks in the pipe.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sound wave
- Sound wave is the everyday term; acoustic wave is preferred in physics and engineering.
- pressure wave
- Pressure wave is broader and need not be audible; an acoustic wave is specifically sound.
Commonly confused: acoustic wave or radio wave?
acoustic wave vs radio wave
A radio wave is electromagnetic and needs no medium; an acoustic wave is mechanical sound in matter.
Practice
Choose the best completion: The sonar system sends ___ through the water.
Choose one answer.
Sonar uses sound energy in water, so an acoustic wave fits. The other options are unrelated nouns that cannot travel as signals.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “acoustic wave”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.