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Glite Dictionary
acoustic waveguide

acoustic waveguide

8.6
A structure that directs sound along a path, for example inside a speaker
  • noun
  • /əˈkuːstɪk ˈweɪɡwaɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : guía de ondas acústicas
  • Researchers used an acoustic waveguide to improve the clarity of underwater communication systems.

Examples

  • The design of the acoustic waveguide allowed sound waves to travel without significant loss of energy.

  • The canonical (Pekeris) shallow-water acoustic waveguide (n2) has a constant sound speed, mirror reflection at the surface, and a grazing-angle-dependent reflectivity at the ocean bottom.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Box 2 summarizes the solution to the wave equation for the canonical shallow-water acoustic waveguide.

    Academic text (2004)

  • In underwater acoustics, an acoustic waveguide can effectively direct sound waves for long distances.

Synonyms

acoustic device
vsacoustic waveguide
4.1

A machine that makes, sends, or changes sound

focuses on channeling or confining sound along a defined path

Surface Forms

acoustic waveguide singular
acoustic waveguides plural

Morphology

acoustic + waveguide

The meaning ('a structure that guides sound waves') is directly derivable from combining 'acoustic' (relating to sound) with 'waveguide' (a device that confines or directs waves). This adjective+noun composition is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common naming pattern specifying the type of wave guided, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Acoustic waveguide gives a simple picture: a tube or channel that lets acoustic 'sound' waves travel along a clear 'path'. The word waveguide literally means a 'guide' for 'waves', so the term means a structure that directs sound along a set path.