shock wave

American  

noun

1. a region of abrupt change of pressure and density moving as a wave front at or above the velocity of sound, caused by an intense explosion or supersonic flow over a body.

2. a repercussion from a startling event or upheaval; series of aftereffects.

   shock waves from the recent collapse of one of the nation's largest banks.

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shock wave British  

noun

1. Often shortened to: shock.  a region across which there is a rapid pressure, temperature, and density rise, usually caused by a body moving supersonically in a gas or by a detonation See also sonic boom shock tube

2. a feeling of shock, horror, surprise, etc that affects many people as it spreads through a community

3. the effect created on a queue of moving cars in the lane of a motorway when one car brakes suddenly and the cars behind have to brake as well, causing cars to slow down, sometimes for miles behind the first braking car

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shock wave Scientific  

1. A large-amplitude wave formed by the sudden compression of the medium through which the wave moves. Shock waves can be caused by explosions or by objects moving through a fluid at a speed greater than the speed of sound.

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Etymology

Origin of shock wave

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The instrument is designed to measure the X-59's unique shock wave signature.

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

But if that shock wave is too weak to eject the surrounding material, much of the star can fall back inward.

From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2026

“And then you have a limb that’s full of ice on a big pine tree that’s 6 inches thick, and it comes crashing down and puts a shock wave on it,” Hayward said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

He first felt the shock wave hit the building and thought it was the start of an earthquake.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2025

The shock wave hurled us off our feet.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda