sine wave

noun

Physics.

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

sine wave

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sine wave¹

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.

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I mean, this is us lining up sine waves, “Minority Report”-style, and seeing where a vowel or a syllable is sort of falling out of place and giving the actor’s accent away.

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Puccini’s heroine here is overwhelmed by oscillating sine waves.

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“I said, ’Cause, man, No. 1: we sculpt an electronic signal into a sine wave that’s smooth, or a sawtooth, which is rough.

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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.

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