shock wave
"Shock waves" are powerful disturbances that move faster than the speed of sound, often resulting from explosions or high-speed impacts.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1Physics
(technical, scientific)A powerful disturbance moving faster than the speed of sound, causing sudden changes in pressure, temperature, and density.
Example
- The supersonic jet created a shock wave as it broke the sound barrier.
- Shock waves from the explosion shattered nearby windows.
B2General
(figurative)A sudden and intense disturbance or impact.
Example
- The news of the sudden resignation sent shock waves through the company.
- The financial crisis created shock waves across the global markets.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "shock wave":
bow shockgravity waveshell shockwave throughshock and aweshock therapytidal waveelectric shocklight wavemake wavestravelling waveshock stallsonic boompink wavewave packetnew wavepulse wave