secondary wave
Americannoun
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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.
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Also called shear wave S wave
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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.
One risk is that a secondary wave of cost increases could persist long after oil stabilizes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026
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
By this expression, in conjunction with the quarter-period acceleration of phase, the law of the secondary wave is determined.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 4 "Diameter" to "Dinarchus" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
