resonate

[rez-uh-neyt]

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verb (used without object), res·o·nat·ed, res·o·nat·ing.

to resound.

to act as a resonator; exhibit resonance.

Electronics. to reinforce oscillations because the natural frequency of the device is the same as the frequency of the source.

to amplify vocal sound by the sympathetic vibration of air in certain cavities and bony structures.

to produce a positive feeling, emotional response, or opinion: an issue that clearly resonates with members of our community; a poem that resonates for me.

verb (used with object), res·o·nat·ed, res·o·nat·ing.

to cause to resound.

Origin of resonate

1870–75; < Latin resonātus, past participle of resonāre to resound; see -ate¹

Related formsres·o·na·tion, nounun·res·o·nat·ing, adjective

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

Related Words for resonate

reverberate, vibrate, echo, sound, reproduce, ring, oscillate

Examples from the Web for resonate

Contemporary Examples of resonate

If history is a guide, Huckabee will need to resonate with more than just the faithful if he is to win.
Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen?
Lloyd Green
January 4, 2015
Over the past year, it seems as though transgender issues have finally begun to resonate with the public consciousness.
Trans Celebs Are Great; Trans Leaders Are Better
Parker Molloy
July 26, 2014
Each campaign is convinced that its characterization of its opponent is accurate and will resonate with the electorate.
The Bruce Braley-Joni Ernst Race Is Iowa’s Ugliest Senate Campaign Ever
Ben Jacobs
July 22, 2014
The first criticism, though, will resonate outside the right wing, and, well, for good reason.
‘No Drama’ Obama Finally Takes Charge and Sacks Shinseki
Michael Tomasky
May 30, 2014
We tried to figure out the images that were really going to resonate, that really have a place in our history.
O.J., Martha, Jagger, and Manson: Capturing Celebrities in the Dock
Justin Jones
May 29, 2014

Historical Examples of resonate

These are questions that resonate loudly in today's political discourse and in the beliefs of very many people.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
The case must be strong enough to counteract the tension of the strings and yet light enough to allow the sound to resonate.
Harpsichords and Clavichords
Cynthia A. Hoover

British Dictionary definitions for resonate

resonate

verb

to resound or cause to resound; reverberate

(of a mechanical system, electrical circuit, chemical compound, etc) to exhibit or cause to exhibit resonance

(intr often foll by with) to be understood or receive a sympathetic responsethemes which will resonate with voters

(intr: foll by with) to be filled withsimple words that seem to resonate with mystery and beauty

Derived Formsresonation, noun

Word Origin for resonate

C19: from Latin resonāre

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 resonate

1873, from Latin resonatus, past participle of resonare "to sound again" (see resonance). Literal at first; figurative sense, of feelings, emotions, etc., by 1978. Related: Resonated; resonating.