wave theory

noun

1. Also called undulatory theory. Physics.,  the theory that light is transmitted as a wave, similar to oscillations in magnetic and electric fields.

2. Historical Linguistics.,  a theory that accounts for shared features among languages or dialects by identifying these features as innovations that spread from their points of origin to the speech of contiguous areas.

wave theory

noun

1. the theory proposed by Huygens that light is transmitted by waves

2. any theory that light or other radiation is transmitted as waves See electromagnetic wave

Word History and Origins

Origin of wave theory¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The effect is of a droplet that appears to walk along a rippled surface in patterns that turn out to be in line with de Broglie's pilot wave theory.

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Isaac Newton concluded that light consists of particles in 1672; Christiaan Huygens developed his wave theory of light six years later.

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But not everyone in the mainstream media rode along with the red wave theory.

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The amazing breadth of his contributions stand out even today, ranging from his work on the science of electricity and the wave theory of light to demography, meteorology, physical oceanography and even behavioral science.

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“We have a good working theory, spiral density wave theory, that was proposed six decades ago that seems to pass all the tests,” Helou says.

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