acoustics

[ uh-koo-stiks ]
/ əˈku stɪks /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR acoustics ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(used with a singular verb) Physics. the branch of physics that deals with sound and sound waves.
(used with a plural verb) the qualities or characteristics of a room, auditorium, stadium, etc., that determine the audibility or fidelity of sounds in it.

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Origin of acoustics

First recorded in 1675–85; see origin at acoustic, -ics

OTHER WORDS FROM acoustics

hy·per·a·cous·tics, noun

Words nearby acoustics

acoustic trauma deafness, acoustical cloud, acoustical surveillance, acoustical tile, acoustician, acoustics, acoustimeter, acoustoelectric, acoustoelectronic, acoustooptics, acp

Definition for acoustics (2 of 2)

acoustic
[ uh-koo-stik ]
/ əˈku stɪk /

adjective Also a·cous·ti·cal.

pertaining to the sense or organs of hearing, to sound, or to the science of sound.
(of a building material) designed for controlling sound.
Music.
  1. of, relating to, or being a musical instrument whose sound is not electrically enhanced or modified.
  2. arranged for or made up of such instruments: an acoustic solo; an acoustic group.

noun

Obsolete. a remedy for deafness or imperfect hearing.

Origin of acoustic

From the Greek word akoustikós, dating back to 1595–1605. See acouasm, -tic

OTHER WORDS FROM acoustic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to acoustics

sound, noise, echo

Example sentences from the Web for acoustics

British Dictionary definitions for acoustics (1 of 2)

acoustics
/ (əˈkuːstɪks) /

noun

(functioning as singular) the scientific study of sound and sound waves
(functioning as plural) the characteristics of a room, auditorium, etc, that determine the fidelity with which sound can be heard within it

British Dictionary definitions for acoustics (2 of 2)

acoustic

acoustical

/ (əˈkuːstɪk) /

adjective

of or related to sound, the sense of hearing, or acoustics
designed to respond to, absorb, or control soundan acoustic tile
(of a musical instrument or recording) without electronic amplificationan acoustic bass; an acoustic guitar

Derived forms of acoustic

acoustically, adverb

Word Origin for acoustic

C17: from Greek akoustikos, from akouein to hear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for acoustics (1 of 2)

acoustics
[ ə-kōō′stĭks ]

n.

The scientific study of sound, especially of its generation, transmission, and reception.

Medical definitions for acoustics (2 of 2)

acoustic
[ ə-kōō′stĭk ]

adj.

Of or relating to sound, the sense of hearing, or the perception of sound.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for acoustics

acoustics
[ ə-kōō′stĭks ]

Used with a singular verb The scientific study of sound and its transmission.
Used with a plural verb The total effect of sound, especially as produced in an enclosed space.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.