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sounder

1 American  
[soun-der] / ˈsaʊn dər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that makes a sound or noise, or sounds something.

  2. Telegraphy. an instrument for receiving telegraphic impulses that emits the sounds from which the message is read.


sounder 2 American  
[soun-der] / ˈsaʊn dər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that sounds depth, as of water.


sounder 1 British  
/ ˈsaʊndə /

noun

  1. an electromagnetic device formerly used in telegraphy to convert electric signals sent over wires into audible sounds

"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

sounder 2 British  
/ ˈsaʊndə /

noun

  1. a person or device that measures the depth of water, etc

"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

Etymology

Origin of sounder1

First recorded in 1585–95; sound 1 + -er 1

Origin of sounder2

First recorded in 1565–75; sound 3 + -er 1

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.

Now, the eurozone economy is on a sounder footing and inflation has been around the ECB's target for some time, she stressed.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

“This means a safer, sounder Fannie Mae, all while growing our great Fortune 25 Company.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

With a new stadium on the horizon and commercial deals continuing to be signed, the club believe they will be on a sounder financial footing for the next three-year PSR cycle.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2025

If it weren’t going offline so soon, the sounder might also help unravel a big mystery, Dr. Salawitch said.

From New York Times • May 3, 2024

He was sounder than he had been in two years.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

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