1.
sound wave; acoustic wave
A mechanical wave that propagates through a medium such as air or water and is perceived as sound. Used in physics, engineering, and medical imaging contexts.
音波は空気中を伝わる。
Sound waves travel through the air.
超音波は人間には聞こえない音波だ。
Ultrasound is a sound wave that humans cannot hear.
コウモリは音波を使って周りの物の位置を知る。
Bats use sound waves to locate objects around them.
Compound of 音 (sound) + 波 (wave). A technical term used mainly in scientific contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 音波が伝わる: sound waves travel/propagate
- 音波の周波数: frequency of a sound wave
- 音波を出す: to emit sound waves
RELATED WAVE TERMS:
- 超音波: ultrasound — sound waves above human hearing
- 電波: radio wave — electromagnetic, not mechanical
- 振動: vibration — the physical motion that produces sound
USAGE NOTE:
In everyday conversation, the more colloquial 音 (sound) is far more common. 音波 appears in physics, engineering, and medical contexts.