Definition

1. Verb:
   • To echo or resound repeatedly: To be reflected many times as sound waves, creating a continuing or fading series of echoes.
   • To reflect or be reflected: To bounce back, as heat, light, or sound, from a surface.
   • To have continuing and widespread effects: To have a profound, lasting, or far-reaching impact or influence.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The thunder reverberated through the valley. (The sound of thunder echoed repeatedly in the valley.)
  • Sound reverberates well in this empty concert hall. (Sound echoes and reflects effectively in this space.)
  • His powerful speech reverberated across the nation. (His speech had a deep and lasting impact across the country.)

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Scientific Context: In physics, "reverberate" describes the persistence of sound in an enclosed space due to multiple reflections.
  • The acoustic panels were installed to prevent sound from reverberating in the studio.
• Figurative Context: Used to describe ideas, emotions, or events that continue to be felt or discussed.
  • The news of the discovery reverberated through the scientific community.

Variants and Related Words

• Reverberation (noun): A continuing effect, echo, or series of echoes.
  • The reverberations of the explosion were felt for miles.
• Reverberant (adjective): Tending to reverberate; resonant.
  • The reverberant quality of the cathedral enhanced the choir's music.

Synonyms

• Echo: To be repeated as a sound reflected off a surface.
• Resound: To be filled with sound; to ring or echo loudly.
• Resonate: To produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound; also used figuratively for ideas that evoke a feeling.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Reverberate" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed directly or with prepositions like "through" or "across.") - Reverberate through/across: To echo or have effects that spread through a place or group. - Shockwaves from the earthquake reverberated through the city.

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms centered solely on the word "reverberate." Its figurative use often stands alone to imply lasting impact.) - To send reverberations through: To cause a significant and widespread reaction. - The court's decision sent reverberations through the entire industry.

Verb

1. treat, process, heat, melt, or refine in a reverberatory furnace
   • reverberate ore
2. spring back; spring away from an impact
   • The rubber ball bounced
   • These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide
3. to throw or bend back (from a surface)
   • Sound is reflected well in this auditorium
4. be reflected as heat, sound, or light or shock waves
   • the waves reverberate as far away as the end of the building
5. have a long or continuing effect
   • The discussions with my teacher reverberated throughout my adult life
6. ring or echo with sound
   • the hall resounded with laughter