air wave
A radio announcer speaks into a microphone, sending his voice out as an air wave.
Noun: 1. A sound wave that is transmitted through the air: This term refers specifically to a mechanical wave of pressure and displacement that travels through the medium of air, carrying sound energy from a source to a receiver.
The term "air wave" is a technical and somewhat dated term used primarily in physics and acoustics to describe the physical propagation of sound. It emphasizes the medium (air) through which the sound travels. In modern general usage, the simpler term "sound wave" is more common.
- The loudspeaker generated air waves that carried the music across the room.
- Scientists measured the frequency of the air waves produced by the tuning fork.
- Before reaching your ear, every spoken word travels as an air wave.
- The term can be used in a historical or comparative context to distinguish sound transmission through air from other media (e.g., "Sound travels faster in water than as an air wave.").
- Sound wave (n): The more common and general term for a wave that transmits sound through any elastic medium, including air, water, or solids.
- Acoustic wave (n): A synonym often used in scientific and engineering contexts.
- Sound wave
- Acoustic wave
- Pressure wave (in the context of sound)
"Air wave" is not to be confused with the plural form "airwaves," which is an idiomatic term referring to radio or television broadcasting (e.g., "The song dominated the airwaves."). "Air wave" refers to a single physical wave, while "airwaves" refers to the abstract medium for broadcast transmission.
A radio announcer speaks into a microphone, sending his voice out as an air wave.
- a sound wave that is transmitted via air