acoustics

[uh-koo-stiks]

SEE MORE 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.

RELATED WORDS

sound, noise, echo

Nearby words

Origin of acoustics

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

Related formshy·per·a·cous·tics, noun

acoustic

[uh-koo-stik]

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.

of, relating to, or being a musical instrument whose sound is not electrically enhanced or modified.
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

Related forms

a·cous·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·a·cous·tic, adjective, nounnon·a·cous·ti·cal, adjectivenon·a·cous·ti·cal·ly, adverb

un·a·cous·tic, adjectiveun·a·cous·ti·cal, adjectiveun·a·cous·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for acoustics

One, with a grand main chamber dramatically illuminated by candle niches, recently shared its acoustics during a concert.
New Mexico’s Amazing Man-Made Caves|Nina Strochlic|December 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A first study of these distributions recalls the harmonics encountered in acoustics; but the difference is great.
The Foundations of Science: Science and Hypothesis, The Value of Science, Science and Method|Henri Poincar
And there was a sound, faint, distorted perhaps by the acoustics of this place, but keeping up a continuous murmur.
Storm Over Warlock|Andre Norton
The musical tone of a bell unquestionably depends on the scientific principles of acoustics as applied to music.
The Catholic World. Volume II; Numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.|E. Rameur

What pitch is to the ear in acoustics, colour is to the eye in the undulatory theory of light.
Six Lectures on Light|John Tyndall
The undulatory theory.In its theory optics has presented a striking contrast to acoustics.
History of the Intellectual Development of Europe, Volume II (of 2)|John William Draper

British Dictionary definitions for acoustics

acoustics

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

acoustic

acoustical

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 Formsacoustically, 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

Word Origin and History for acoustics

acoustics

1680s, "science of sound," from acoustic (also see -ics). Meaning "acoustic properties" of a building, etc., attested from 1885.

acoustic

adj.

c.1600, from French acoustique, from Greek akoustikos "pertaining to hearing," from akoustos "heard, audible," verbal adjective from akouein "to hear," probably from copulative prefix a- + koein "to mark, perceive, hear," from PIE *kous- "to hear," perhaps from root *(s)keu- "to notice, observe" (see caveat). Acoustic guitar (as opposed to electric) attested by 1958. Related: Acoustical; acoustically.