sound
1 of 7noun (1)
ˈsau̇nd 
1
a
: a particular auditory impression : tone
b
: the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing
c
: mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (such as air) and is the objective cause of hearing
2
a
: a speech sound
a peculiar r-sound
b
: value in terms of speech sounds
-cher of teacher and -ture of creature have the same sound
3
a
: meaningless noise
b
: the impression conveyed : import
c
obsolete : meaning
4
: hearing distance : earshot
within sound of your voice
5
: recorded auditory material
6
: a particular musical style characteristic of an individual, a group, or an area
the Nashville sound
7
archaic : rumor, fame
sound
2 of 7verb (1)
sounded; sounding; sounds
transitive verb
1
a
: to cause to sound
sound a trumpet
b
: pronounce sense 3a
2
: to put into words : voice
3
a
: to make known : proclaim
b
: to order, signal, or indicate by a sound
sound the alarm
4
: to examine by causing to emit sounds
sound the lungs
5
chiefly British : to convey the impression of : sound like
that sounds a logical use of resources—
Economist
Economistintransitive verb
1
a
: to make a sound
b
: resound
c
: to give a summons by sound
the bugle sounds to battle
2
: to make or convey an impression especially when heard
it sounds good to me
you sound just like your mother
soundable
ˈsau̇n-də-bəl
adjective sound
3 of 7adjective
1
a
: free from injury or disease
of sound mind
b
: free from flaw, defect, or decay
sound timber
2
a
: solid, firm
sound construction
b
: stable
a sound economy
also : secure, reliable
sound investments
3
a
: free from error, fallacy, or misapprehension
sound advice
sound reasoning
b
: exhibiting or based on thorough knowledge and experience
sound scholarship
c
: legally valid
a sound title
d
: logically valid and having true premises
a sound estimate
e
: agreeing with accepted views : orthodox
sound doctrine
4
a
: thorough
a sound recovery
b
: deep and undisturbed
a sound sleep
c
: hard, severe
a sound whipping
5
: showing good judgment or sense
a sound advisor
soundly
ˈsau̇n(d)-lē
adverb soundness
ˈsau̇n(d)-nəs
noun sound
4 of 7adverb
: to the full extent : thoroughly
sound asleep
sound
5 of 7noun (2)
1
a
: a long broad inlet of the ocean generally parallel to the coast
b
: a long passage of water connecting two larger bodies (such as a sea with the ocean) or separating a mainland and an island
2
: the air bladder of a fish
sound
6 of 7verb (2)
sounded; sounding; sounds
transitive verb
1
: to measure the depth of : fathom
2
: to try to find out the views or intentions of : probe —often used with out
3
: to explore or examine (a body cavity) with a sound
intransitive verb
1
a
: to ascertain the depth of water especially with a sounding line
b
: to look into or investigate the possibility
sent commissioners … to sound for peace—Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson2
: to dive down suddenly —used of a fish or whale
sound
7 of 7noun (3)
: an elongated instrument for exploring or sounding body cavities
Did you know?
English contains several sound homographs, all with distinct histories. For example, the sound that means "something heard" descends from Latin sonus ("sound"), whereas the sound that means "to measure the depth of water" traces to Middle French sonde ("sounding line"). Another sound, as in "of sound mind and body," is the contemporary form of Old English's gesund. Gesund is related to several words in other languages, such as Old Saxon gisund ("sound"), Old Frisian sund ("fresh, unharmed, healthy"), and Gothic swinths ("sound" or "healthy"). Another relative is Old High German's gisunt ("healthy"), which led to modern German's gesund, the root of gesundheit.
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- earshot
- hail
- hearing
Verb (1)
- echo
- reecho
- resonate
- resound
- reverberate
Adjective
- analytic
- analytical
- coherent
- consequent
- good
- logical
- rational
- reasonable
- sensible
- valid
- well-founded
- well-grounded
Noun (2)
- channel
- narrows
- neck
- strait
Verb (2)
- fathom
- plumb
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective a building of sound construction The bridge is structurally sound. a sound mind in a sound body The tests show that his heart is sound. She used sound reasoning in making the decision. She gave us some sound advice. She has a sound understanding of the system's structure. The stock market has made a sound recovery. See More
Recent Examples on the WebMichael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 The missiles are long-range weapons that travel more than five times the speed of sound and are harder to detect and intercept than other missiles. —David Mckenzie, CNN, 19 Feb. 2023 Related Stories Strictly speaking, hypersonic ballistic missiles that can exceed five times the speed of sound have existed for many decades. —Sebastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 14 Feb. 2023 Percussionists were planted at each of the four corners of the Sanders stage, their incisive rhythmic contributions serving at times to structure the work, like four tent poles holding up a brilliantly colored canopy of sound. —Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Feb. 2023 One touchscreen station offers an exploration of future aircraft, like flying cars and hypersonic craft that will fly at five times the speed of sound. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2023 Quite simply, Björk broke the way Williams understood the nature of sound. —Glenn Whippcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2023 And so, at 8:53:26 a.m., Columbia crossed the coast of California, right on schedule, at an altitude of 44 miles while traveling 23 times the speed of sound. —William Harwood, CBS News, 1 Feb. 2023 Ahead of the recording sessions, Babyface says some of the singers came in with preconceived notions about what kind of sound the producer/writer might create for them. —Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2023 See More
Noun
The brass section in particular was phenomenal — terrifying columns of sound that felt like a threatening architecture. —Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 The missiles are long-range weapons that travel more than five times the speed of sound and are harder to detect and intercept than other missiles. —David Mckenzie, CNN, 19 Feb. 2023 Related Stories Strictly speaking, hypersonic ballistic missiles that can exceed five times the speed of sound have existed for many decades. —Sebastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 14 Feb. 2023 Percussionists were planted at each of the four corners of the Sanders stage, their incisive rhythmic contributions serving at times to structure the work, like four tent poles holding up a brilliantly colored canopy of sound. —Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Feb. 2023 One touchscreen station offers an exploration of future aircraft, like flying cars and hypersonic craft that will fly at five times the speed of sound. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2023 Quite simply, Björk broke the way Williams understood the nature of sound. —Glenn Whippcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2023 And so, at 8:53:26 a.m., Columbia crossed the coast of California, right on schedule, at an altitude of 44 miles while traveling 23 times the speed of sound. —William Harwood, CBS News, 1 Feb. 2023 Ahead of the recording sessions, Babyface says some of the singers came in with preconceived notions about what kind of sound the producer/writer might create for them. —Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English soun, from Anglo-French son, sun, from Latin sonus, from sonare to sound; akin to Old English swinn melody, Sanskrit svanati it sounds
Adjective
Middle English, from Old English gesund; akin to Old High German gisunt healthy
Noun (2)
Middle English, from Old English sund swimming, sea & Old Norse sund swimming, strait; akin to Old English swimman to swim
Verb (2)
Middle English, from Middle French sonder, from Old French *sonde sounding line, probably from Old English or Middle English sund- (as in Old English sundlīne sounding line) from sund sea
Noun (3)
French sonde, from Middle French, literally, sounding line
First Known Use
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (3)
1739, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing sound
Kids Definition
sound
1 of 6 adjective ˈsau̇nd
1
a
: not diseased or weak : healthy
a sound mind in a sound body
b
: free from imperfection or rot
2
: solid entry 1 sense 4, firm
a building of sound construction
3
: not faulty : valid, right
a sound argument
4
a
: thorough sense 1
a sound revenge
b
: not disturbed
a sound sleep
c
: severe sense 3
a sound beating
5
: showing good judgment or sense
sound advice
soundly
ˈsau̇n-(d)lē
adverb soundness
ˈsau̇n(d)-nəs
noun sound
2 of 6 adverb : to the full extent : thoroughly
sound asleep
sound
3 of 6 noun1
a
: the sensation of hearing
b
: a particular impression obtained by hearing : noise, tone
c
: the energy of vibration that causes the sensation of hearing
2
a
: one of the noises that together make up human speech
the sound of "th" in "this"
b
: a series of spoken noises
3
a
: meaningless noise
b
: the suggestion carried or given by something heard or said
the excuse has a suspicious sound
4
: hearing distance : earshot
within sound of my voice
sound
4 of 6 verb1
a
: to make or cause to make a sound
b
: resound
the auditorium sounded with applause
c
: resound sense 2
cheers are sounding throughout the gymnasium
d
: to give a signal by sound
the bugle sounds to battle
2
: pronounce sense 3a
sound each word clearly
3
: to put into words : voice
4
a
: to make known : proclaim
b
: to order, signal, or indicate by a sound
sound the alarm
5
: to make or give an impression especially when heard
sounds incredible
sound
5 of 6 noun : a long passage of water that is wider than a strait and often connects two larger bodies of water or forms a channel between the mainland and an island
sound
6 of 6 verb1
a
: to measure the depth of (as with a sounding line) : fathom
b
: to look into or investigate the possibility
2
: to try to find out the views or intentions of : probe
sounded me out on the idea
3
: to dive down suddenly
a sounding whale
Medical Definition
sound
1 of 4 adjective ˈsau̇nd
1
: free from injury or disease : exhibiting normal health
2
: deep and undisturbed
a sound sleep
soundness noun
sound
2 of 4 noun1
: a particular auditory impression
heart sounds heard by auscultation
2
: the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing
3
: mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (as air) and is the objective cause of hearing
sound
3 of 4 transitive verb : to explore or examine (a body cavity) with a sound
sound
4 of 4 noun : an elongated instrument for exploring or examining body cavities
a uterine sound
Legal Definition
sound
1 of 2 adjective1
a
: free from injury or disease : exhibiting normal health
b
: free from flaw, defect, or decay
a sound design
2
a
: free from error, fallacy, or misapprehension
based on sound judicial reasoning
b
: legally valid
a sound title
3
: showing good judgment or sense
soundly adverb
soundness noun
sound
2 of 2 intransitive verb : to be based or founded : have a specified basis for an action —used with in
those remedies for rent which sounded in contract—O. W. Holmes, Jr.
O. W. Holmes, Jr.sounded 1 of 3
adjective
as in said
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- said
- voiced
- told
- pronounced
- stated
- articulated
- verbalized
- given
- spoken
- consensual
- viva voce
- unwritten
- informal
- verbal
- implicit
- nuncupative
- oral
- word-of-mouth
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- written
- explicit
- formal
- paper
sounded
2 of 3verb (1)
1
as in echoed
to continue or be repeated in a series of reflected sound waves the stranded hiker's cries for help sounded throughout the canyon Synonyms & Similar Words
- echoed
- resounded
- resonated
- rang
- reverberated
- reechoed
- rolled
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- quieted
- dulled
- dampened
- deadened
- damped
2
as in seemed
to give the impression of being the idea at least sounds plausible Synonyms & Similar Words
- seemed
- looked
- felt
- appeared
- acted
- made
- resembled
- pretended
- recalled
- suggested
- came across (as)
- implied
- came off (as)
- hinted
- insinuated
- dissembled
3
as in voiced
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) a person who certainly isn't shy about sounding her opinions Synonyms & Similar Words
- voiced
- expressed
- looked
- gave
- stated
- announced
- aired
- expounded
- said
- described
- proclaimed
- put forth
- raised
- ventilated
- vented
- declared
- conveyed
- wrote
- advertised
- published
- enunciated
- gave air to
- offered
- circulated
- disseminated
- broadcast
- submitted
- enounced
- broadcasted
- communicated
- spoke out
- spoke up
- chimed in
- sounded off
- wrote up
- put over
- put across
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- suppressed
- stifled
- restrained
- restricted
- censored
4
as in announced
to make known openly or publicly the grand opening of the region's newest and largest mall has been loudly sounded for months Synonyms & Similar Words
- announced
- declared
- proclaimed
- published
- advertised
- blared
- posted
- trumpeted
- heralded
- promulgated
- enunciated
- disclosed
- flashed
- released
- rang
- broadcast
- annunciated
- revealed
- barked
- blazed
- publicized
- promoted
- ran with
- broadcasted
- reported
- placarded
- gave out
- blazoned
- cried
- introduced
- showed
- spread
- beat the drum (for or about)
- informed
- disseminated
- puffed
- tolled
- featured
- imparted
- billed
- notified
- intimated
- knelled
- divulged
- bulletined
- manifested
- communicated
- plugged
- pitched
- billboarded
- kithed
- handed down
- gazetted
- blurbed
- advised
- apprised
- kythed
- called (off or out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- suppressed
- recalled
- withheld
- silenced
- concealed
- revoked
- retracted
- hushed (up)
- recanted
sounded
3 of 3verb (2)
1
as in scaled
to measure the depth of (as a body of water) typically with a weighted line the pilot sounded the river to make sure we weren't in any danger of running aground Synonyms & Similar Words
- scaled
- plumbed
- spanned
- fathomed
- gauged
- remeasured
- gaged
- replumbed
2
as in plunged
to cast oneself head first into deep water a whale suddenly surfaced and then, just as suddenly, sounded Synonyms & Similar Words
- plunged
- dove
- dived
- pitched
- submerged
- plumped
- dipped
- immersed
- plunked
- plonked
- belly flopped
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- surfaced