sound

[ sound ]

/ saʊnd /

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noun

the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of hearing by vibrations transmitted through the air or other medium.

mechanical vibrations transmitted through an elastic medium, traveling in air at a speed of approximately 1,087 feet (331 meters) per second at sea level.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause: the sound of music.

any auditory effect; any audible vibrational disturbance: all kinds of sounds.

a noise, vocal utterance, musical tone, or the like: the sounds from the next room.

a distinctive, characteristic, or recognizable musical style, as from a particular performer, orchestra, or type of arrangement: the big-band sound.

Phonetics.

speech sound.
the audible result of an utterance or portion of an utterance: the s-sound in “slight”;the sound of m in “mere.”

the auditory effect of sound waves as transmitted or recorded by a particular system of sound reproduction: the sound of a stereophonic recording.

the quality of an event, letter, etc., as it affects a person: This report has a bad sound.

the distance within which the noise of something may be heard.

mere noise, without meaning: all sound and fury.

Archaic. a report or rumor; news; tidings.

verb (used without object)

to make or emit a sound.

to give forth a sound as a call or summons: The bugle sounded as the troops advanced.

to be heard, as a sound.

to convey a certain impression when heard or read: to sound strange.

to give a specific sound: to sound loud.

to give the appearance of being; seem: The report sounds true.

Law. to have as its basis or foundation (usually followed by in): His action sounds in contract.

verb (used with object)

to cause to make or emit a sound: to sound a bell.

to give forth (a sound): The oboe sounded an A.

to announce, order, or direct by or as by a sound: The bugle sounded retreat.His speech sounded a warning to aggressor nations.

to utter audibly, pronounce, or express: to sound each letter.

to examine by percussion or auscultation: to sound a patient's chest.

Verb Phrases

sound off, Informal.

to call out one's name, as at military roll call.
to speak freely or frankly, especially to complain in such a manner.
to exaggerate; boast: Has he been sounding off about his golf game again?

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about sound

(that) sounds good (to me), (used when accepting a suggestion) I agree; yes; OK: “Shall we meet at my place at 3 tomorrow, and talk about it in more detail then?” “Sounds good.”

Origin of sound

First recorded in 1250–1300; (noun) Middle English soun, from Anglo-French (Old French son ), from Latin sonus; (verb) Middle English sounen, from Old French suner, from Latin sonāre, derivative of sonus

synonym study for sound

1. Sound, noise, tone refer to something heard. Sound and noise are often used interchangeably for anything perceived by means of hearing. Sound, however, is more general in application, being used for anything within earshot: the sound of running water. Noise, caused by irregular vibrations, is more properly applied to a loud, discordant, or unpleasant sound: the noise of shouting. Tone is applied to a musical sound having a certain quality, resonance, and pitch.

OTHER WORDS FROM sound

sound·a·ble, adjectiveun·sound·a·ble, adjective

Other definitions for sound (2 of 5)

sound²

[ sound ]

/ saʊnd /

adjective, sound·er, sound·est.

free from injury, damage, defect, disease, etc.; in good condition; healthy; robust: a sound heart;a sound mind.

financially strong, secure, or reliable: a sound business;sound investments.

competent, sensible, or valid: sound judgment.

having no defect as to truth, justice, wisdom, or reason: sound advice.

following in a systematic pattern without any apparent defect in logic: sound reasoning.

of substantial or enduring character: sound moral values.

uninterrupted and untroubled; deep; sound sleep.

vigorous, thorough, or severe: a sound thrashing.

free from moral defect or weakness; upright, honest, or good; honorable; loyal.

having no legal defect: a sound title to property.

theologically correct or orthodox, as doctrines or a theologian.

adverb

deeply; thoroughly; sound asleep.

OTHER WORDS FOR sound

1 whole, hale, hardy, unbroken, unharmed.

2 solvent.

4 valid, logical, rational, reasonable.

5 valid, logical.

See synonyms for sound on Thesaurus.com

Origin of sound

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English sund, Old English gesund (see y-); cognate with Dutch gezond, German gesund

OTHER WORDS FROM sound

sound·ly, adverbsound·ness, noun

Other definitions for sound (3 of 5)

sound³

[ sound ]

/ saʊnd /

verb (used with object)

to measure or try the depth of (water, a deep hole, etc.) by letting down a lead or plummet at the end of a line, or by some equivalent means.

to measure (depth) in such a manner, as at sea.

to examine or test (the bottom, as of the sea or a deep hole) with a lead that brings up adhering bits of matter.

to examine or investigate; seek to fathom or ascertain: to sound a person's views.

to seek to elicit the views or sentiments of (a person) by indirect inquiries, suggestive allusions, etc. (often followed by out): Why not sound him out about working for us?

Surgery. to examine, as the urinary bladder, with a sound.

verb (used without object)

to use the lead and line or some other device for measuring depth, as at sea.

to go down or touch bottom, as a lead.

to plunge downward or dive, as a whale.

to make investigation; seek information, especially by indirect inquiries.

noun

Surgery. a long, slender instrument for sounding or exploring body cavities or canals.

Origin of sound

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sounden, from Old French sonder “to plumb,” derivative of sonde “sounding line,” of unknown origin

OTHER WORDS FROM sound

sound·a·ble, adjective

Other definitions for sound (4 of 5)

sound⁴

[ sound ]

/ saʊnd /

noun

a relatively narrow passage of water between larger bodies of water or between the mainland and an island: Long Island Sound.

an inlet, arm, or recessed portion of the sea: Puget Sound.

the air bladder of a fish.

Origin of sound

⁴

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sund “act of swimming”; akin to swim

Other definitions for sound (5 of 5)

Sound

[ sound ]

/ saʊnd /

noun

The Sound, a strait between southwestern Sweden and Zealand, connecting the Kattegat and the Baltic. 87 miles (140 km) long; 3–30 miles (5–48 km) wide.

Danish Ø·re·sund

[Danish œ-ruh-soon] /Danish ˈœ rəˌsʊn/ . Swedish Ö·re·sund

[Swedish œ-ruh-soond] /Swedish ˈœ rəˌsʊnd/ .

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sound in a sentence

If the message sounds familiar, it’s because this is not the first time these tech giants have publicly expressed their concerns over the new law, which was proposed by Khan’s ministry in February this year.
Google, Facebook and Twitter threaten to leave Pakistan over censorship law|Manish Singh|November 20, 2020|TechCrunch
Now it sounds like the company might be turning its attention… to sound.
Snap acquired Voisey, an app to create music tracks overlaying your own vocals|Ingrid Lunden|November 20, 2020|TechCrunch
It doesn’t sound like it has a lot to do with being funny, but in comedy, we have no human resources department.
How to Suck Less at … Being Funny in the Nude|Eugene Robinson|November 18, 2020|Ozy
Rah Ali has some good news to share with fans, announcing that her rainbow baby has arrived, safe and sound.
Rah Ali Has Given Birth To Her Rainbow Baby, A Daughter|Charli Penn|November 12, 2020|Essence.com

Instead of the long, funny, carefully observed profiles in “There Goes Gravity,” we get brief sound bites from women she has interviewed.
Beyoncé, Joni Mitchell and more: A veteran journalist tries to give female stars their due|Elizabeth Hand|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
Cuomo ran for governor in 2002, but pulled out before he was to be soundly defeated in the Democratic primary by Carl McCall.
Andrew Cuomo Ignores Rural New York|David Fontana|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The family in the London shelter were sleeping soundly well after the summer dawn.
Life Under Air Strikes: Children Under Fire Will Never Forget — or Forgive|Clive Irving|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If they followed the views of the local residents, the mosque would be soundly defeated.
When Bigotry Comes to Your Hometown|Dean Obeidallah|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the polls closed on November 2, 2010, Democrats found themselves soundly beaten.
Democrats Have Maxed Out the Race Card|Ron Christie|December 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Charles shut the door soundly behind him and grabbed her about the waist, turning her into his arms.
50 Shades of Fall TV: New Girl, Scandal, and More Television Fan Fiction|Amy Zimmerman|October 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Bonaparte at once summoned Lannes, rated him soundly, and commanded him immediately to refund the money.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
I slept soundly enough when I was not following my father about the house with a candle, or about the hills with a lantern.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
The fact was, General Price knew if he did not retreat he would be soundly whipped the next day.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
One after the other they dropped off, and so did he, at last; and never slept more soundly in his life.
Digby Heathcote|W.H.G. Kingston
The same disposition to somnolency continued through the day, and the next night, I rested as soundly as before.
My Ten Years' Imprisonment|Silvio Pellico

British Dictionary definitions for sound (1 of 5)

sound¹

/ (saʊnd) /

noun

a periodic disturbance in the pressure or density of a fluid or in the elastic strain of a solid, produced by a vibrating object. It has a velocity in air at sea level at 0°C of 331 metres per second (741 miles per hour) and travels as longitudinal waves
(as modifier)a sound wave

(modifier) of or relating to radio as distinguished from televisionsound broadcasting; sound radio

the sensation produced by such a periodic disturbance in the organs of hearing

anything that can be heard

a particular instance, quality, or type of soundthe sound of running water

volume or quality of sounda radio with poor sound

the area or distance over which something can be heardto be born within the sound of Big Ben

the impression or implication of somethingI don't like the sound of that

phonetics the auditory effect produced by a specific articulation or set of related articulations

(often plural) slang music, esp rock, jazz, or pop

verb

to cause (something, such as an instrument) to make a sound or (of an instrument, etc) to emit a sound

to announce or be announced by a soundto sound the alarm

(intr) (of a sound) to be heard

(intr) to resonate with a certain quality or intensityto sound loud

(copula) to give the impression of being as specified when read, heard, etcto sound reasonable

(tr) to pronounce distinctly or audiblyto sound one's consonants

(intr usually foll by in) law to have the essential quality or nature (of)an action sounding in damages

Derived forms of sound

soundable, adjective

Word Origin for sound

C13: from Old French soner to make a sound, from Latin sonāre, from sonus a sound

British Dictionary definitions for sound (2 of 5)

sound²

/ (saʊnd) /

adjective

free from damage, injury, decay, etc

firm; solid; substantiala sound basis

financially safe or stablea sound investment

showing good judgment or reasoning; sensible; wisesound advice

valid, logical, or justifiablea sound argument

holding approved beliefs; ethically correct; upright; honest

(of sleep) deep; peaceful; unbroken

thorough; completea sound examination

British informal excellent

law (of a title, etc) free from defect; legally valid

constituting a valid and justifiable application of correct principles; orthodoxsound theology

logic

(of a deductive argument) valid
(of an inductive argument) according with whatever principles ensure the high probability of the truth of the conclusion given the truth of the premises
another word for consistent (def. 5b)

adverb

soundly; deeply: now archaic except when applied to sleep

Derived forms of sound

soundly, adverbsoundness, noun

Word Origin for sound

Old English sund; related to Old Saxon gisund, Old High German gisunt

British Dictionary definitions for sound (3 of 5)

sound³

/ (saʊnd) /

verb

to measure the depth of (a well, the sea, etc) by lowering a plumb line, by sonar, etc

to seek to discover (someone's views, etc), as by questioning

(intr) (of a whale, etc) to dive downwards swiftly and deeply

med

to probe or explore (a bodily cavity or passage) by means of a sound
to examine (a patient) by means of percussion and auscultation

noun

med an instrument for insertion into a bodily cavity or passage to dilate strictures, dislodge foreign material, etc

Word Origin for sound

C14: from Old French sonder, from sonde sounding line, probably of Germanic origin; related to Old English sundgyrd sounding pole, Old Norse sund strait, sound 4; see swim

British Dictionary definitions for sound (4 of 5)

sound⁴

/ (saʊnd) /

noun

a relatively narrow channel between two larger areas of sea or between an island and the mainland

an inlet or deep bay of the sea

the air bladder of a fish

Word Origin for sound

Old English sund swimming, narrow sea; related to Middle Low German sunt strait; see sound ³

British Dictionary definitions for sound (5 of 5)

Sound

/ (saʊnd) /

noun

the Sound a strait between SW Sweden and Zealand (Denmark), linking the Kattegat with the Baltic: busy shipping lane; spanned by a bridge in 2000. Length of the strait: 113 km (70 miles). Narrowest point: 5 km (3 miles)Danish name: Øresund Swedish name: Öresund

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

Scientific definitions for sound (1 of 2)

sound¹

[ sound ]

A type of longitudinal wave that originates as the vibration of a medium (such as a person's vocal cords or a guitar string) and travels through gases, liquids, and elastic solids as variations of pressure and density. The loudness of a sound perceived by the ear depends on the amplitude of the sound wave and is measured in decibels, while its pitch depends on its frequency, measured in hertz.

The sensation produced in the organs of hearing by waves of this type. See Note at ultrasound.

Scientific definitions for sound (2 of 2)

sound²

[ sound ]

A long, wide inlet of the ocean, often parallel to the coast. Long Island Sound, between Long Island and the coast of New England, is an example.

A long body of water, wider than a strait, that connects larger bodies of water.

Other Idioms and Phrases with sound

sound

In addition to the idioms beginning with sound

sound as a bell
sound bite
sound off
sound out

also see:

safe and sound

sound

Idioms about sound

Origin of sound

synonym study for sound

OTHER WORDS FROM sound

Other definitions for sound (2 of 5)

OTHER WORDS FOR sound

Origin of sound

OTHER WORDS FROM sound

Other definitions for sound (3 of 5)

Origin of sound

OTHER WORDS FROM sound

Other definitions for sound (4 of 5)

Origin of sound

Other definitions for sound (5 of 5)

Words related to sound

How to use sound in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sound (1 of 5)

Derived forms of sound

Word Origin for sound

British Dictionary definitions for sound (2 of 5)

Derived forms of sound

Word Origin for sound

British Dictionary definitions for sound (3 of 5)

Word Origin for sound

British Dictionary definitions for sound (4 of 5)

Word Origin for sound

British Dictionary definitions for sound (5 of 5)

Scientific definitions for sound (1 of 2)

Scientific definitions for sound (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with sound