sine wave

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a periodic oscillation, as simple harmonic motion, having the same geometric representation as a sine function.

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sine wave British  

noun

1. any oscillation, such as a sound wave or alternating current, whose waveform is that of a sine curve

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Etymology

Origin of sine wave

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Fosse suggests, through the Emcee, that though the West’s relationship to queerness may bear the pattern of a sine wave, the Grande Human Cabaret can never metaphorically or spiritually close.

From Salon • Oct. 4, 2025

The room in the film is lined with windows that resemble filmstrips and the moving images are accompanied by a rising tone produced by a sine wave generator.

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2023

One model put forth in 1990 assumed riders rock backward and forward at a constant frequency in simple sinusoidal motion—meaning the movement makes the shape of a sine wave in time.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 6, 2023

“I said, “’Cause, man, number one: we sculpt an electronic signal into a sine wave that’s smooth, or a sawtooth, which is rough.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2017

He draws a spiral punctured by a sine wave.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman