longitudinal wave

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a wave in which the direction of displacement is the same as the direction of propagation, as a sound wave.

---

longitudinal wave British  

noun

1. a wave that is propagated in the same direction as the displacement of the transmitting medium Compare transverse wave

---

longitudinal wave Scientific  

1. A wave that oscillates back and forth on an axis that is the same as the axis along which the wave propagates. Sound waves are longitudinal waves, since the air molecules are displaced forward and backward on the same axis along which the sound travels.

2. Compare transverse wave See more at wave

---

Etymology

Origin of longitudinal wave

First recorded in 1930–35

Compare meaning

How does longitudinal-wave compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• transverse wave vs. longitudinal wave