Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

secondary wave

American  
[sek-uhn-der-ee wayv] / ˈsɛk ənˌdɛr i ˈweɪv /

noun

  • secondary waves
    plural
  1. Geology. shear wave.


secondary wave Scientific  
  1. A type of seismic body wave in which rock particles vibrate at right angles to the direction of wave travel. Secondary waves cause the rocks they pass through to change in shape. These waves are the second fastest traveling seismic waves (after primary waves) and can travel through solids but not through liquids or gases.

  2. Also called shear wave S wave

  3. See Note at earthquake


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Eastern Pennsylvania, New York state and New England may see a bit more, as a secondary wave of low pressure develops along the front off the New England coastline.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 8, 2021

The takedown itself spawned a secondary wave of reposts of the video and anger over censorship.

From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2020

For the secondary wave of spawning fish, work plastic worms and creatures, topwater, and crankbaits.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 15, 2020

The prospect of a secondary wave comes as the European Union tries to hammer out a common response to the crisis already on its shores.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2015

According to the assumed law of the secondary wave, the result must actually depend upon the precise radius of the outer boundary of the region of integration, supposed to be exactly circular.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 4 "Diameter" to "Dinarchus" by Various

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com