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
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
sounded; sounding; sounds
1
a
: to cause to sound
sound a trumpet
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
Economist1
2
: to make or convey an impression especially when heard
it sounds good to me
you sound just like your mother
1
a
: free from injury or disease
of sound mind
b
: free from flaw, defect, or decay
sound timber
2
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
5
: showing good judgment or sense
a sound advisor
: to the full extent : thoroughly
sound asleep
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
sounded; sounding; sounds
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
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
: 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)
Verb (1)
Adjective
- analytic
- analytical
- coherent
- consequent
- good
- logical
- rational
- reasonable
- sensible
- valid
- well-founded
- well-grounded
Noun (2)
Verb (2)
Examples of sound in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the WebSteven J. Horowitz, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
LaPorta says the two artists wanted their latest full-lengths to feel like throwback Future releases, incorporating dusty soul samples and ’80s boom bap while retaining Future’s classic trap sound.
—Damien Scott, Billboard, 26 Apr. 2024
Lighting and sound alone claimed a fifth of the $1-million budget, Cazorla said.
—Julie Seabaugh, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
The plan now in development will include full-service movie, television and streaming production studios, as well as multiple large sound stages, said John Milledge, an attorney for the project.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024
Consider booking an environmentally minded experience that uses sound practices.
—Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
Instead, the Danish sound specialists have found ways to subtly upgrade the device for today.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024
Along with great sound, the wireless earbuds deliver powerful bass and eight hours of battery life on a single charge.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 24 Apr. 2024
Gould’s music and Kreitzer’s lyrics offer an appealing rock-pop score that brings an often contemporary sound to the story, connecting eras.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 15 Apr. 2024
Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
This may sound odd, but older (AKA store-bought) eggs are easier to peel.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024
If that sounds intense, the formula also contains hyaluronic acid and green tea seed oil to hydrate and soothe skin.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2024
It could be seen as a crossover play, yet the album’s 13 tracks sound anything but a concession to pop ideals.
—Kat Bein, SPIN, 26 Apr. 2024
Burke remembers the room sounding empty and hollow except for the doctor’s voice.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
However, the rose gold model will set you back $45,000, while the steel version sounds downright affordable in comparison at $10,700.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024
Using Reason with original reggaetón drum kits and Reason stock instrument sounds gave it that unique sound.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
By the end, though, the voice of the announcer seemed overcome by what sounded a little like awe.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2024
The two-week intensive will focus on multicam television studio production and post-production sound mixing and sound editing.
—Abbey White, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024
The app has support for game graphics, sound, and even peripherals (including joysticks).
—David Nield, Popular Science, 25 Apr. 2024
Accessibility and Sustainability A number of accessible rooms have been adapted for guests with limited mobility and also feature visual, sound, and vibrating alarm systems.
—John O'Ceallaigh, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
While the tornado caused considerable destruction to one of the farm's storage buildings, the wedding venue was determined to be sound apart from the hole in the roof.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
And provide earplugs for guests who are sound sensitive.
—Alix Strauss, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The top floor has been completely transformed into living quarters for visiting artists, each room designed with maximum sound insulation to allow guests space to concentrate.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
Freemantle and Garland met when the sound designer worked on Danny Boyle’s 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio-starring thriller The Beach, based on Garland’s novel.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024
Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023
Some examples include watches with alarms, visual timers, sound-blocking headphones, and calculators.
—Lisa Jo Rudy, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2023
There could be sound-absorbing qualities, too, which gave the ceilings their other name: acoustical ceilings.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2023
Porsche also outfitted lightweight glass and a slinkier battery, whittled out some of the sound-deadening material, and even deleted the rear seat.
—Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 23 Nov. 2022
Every practice and bus ride are sound-tracked by a JBL Bluetooth speaker and a steady stream of hits from Adele and Pitbull.
—BostonGlobe.com, 6 Nov. 2021
Qualifying property owners, who must have their buildings sound-tested, will each receive about $40,000 in upgrades.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2021
Even more sound-deadening materials arrived for 2004, as did new stereo speakers to take advantage of the ostensibly quieter cabin.
—Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 29 Apr. 2021
The local fire department said earlier that the main material burning was sound-absorbing cotton.
—Bloomberg.com, 25 Sep. 2020
Noun
Justice presented as something of an alternative to their peers; their music was distinct, like a mutated Daft Punk, with assaultive songs that mainly lacked vocals and touted instrumentation pocked by harsh, distorted sounds.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
LaPorta says the two artists wanted their latest full-lengths to feel like throwback Future releases, incorporating dusty soul samples and ’80s boom bap while retaining Future’s classic trap sound.
—Damien Scott, Billboard, 26 Apr. 2024
Lighting and sound alone claimed a fifth of the $1-million budget, Cazorla said.
—Julie Seabaugh, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
The plan now in development will include full-service movie, television and streaming production studios, as well as multiple large sound stages, said John Milledge, an attorney for the project.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024
Consider booking an environmentally minded experience that uses sound practices.
—Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
Instead, the Danish sound specialists have found ways to subtly upgrade the device for today.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024
Along with great sound, the wireless earbuds deliver powerful bass and eight hours of battery life on a single charge.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 24 Apr. 2024
Gould’s music and Kreitzer’s lyrics offer an appealing rock-pop score that brings an often contemporary sound to the story, connecting eras.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 15 Apr. 2024
Verb
Free-speech advocates have sounded alarms about the city’s convention strategy.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
This may sound odd, but older (AKA store-bought) eggs are easier to peel.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024
If that sounds intense, the formula also contains hyaluronic acid and green tea seed oil to hydrate and soothe skin.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2024
It could be seen as a crossover play, yet the album’s 13 tracks sound anything but a concession to pop ideals.
—Kat Bein, SPIN, 26 Apr. 2024
Burke remembers the room sounding empty and hollow except for the doctor’s voice.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
However, the rose gold model will set you back $45,000, while the steel version sounds downright affordable in comparison at $10,700.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024
Using Reason with original reggaetón drum kits and Reason stock instrument sounds gave it that unique sound.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
By the end, though, the voice of the announcer seemed overcome by what sounded a little like awe.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Adjective
But on the surface the process appears to be relatively sound, even if the immediate fan response might not be completely flattering.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2024
The two-week intensive will focus on multicam television studio production and post-production sound mixing and sound editing.
—Abbey White, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024
The app has support for game graphics, sound, and even peripherals (including joysticks).
—David Nield, Popular Science, 25 Apr. 2024
Accessibility and Sustainability A number of accessible rooms have been adapted for guests with limited mobility and also feature visual, sound, and vibrating alarm systems.
—John O'Ceallaigh, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
While the tornado caused considerable destruction to one of the farm's storage buildings, the wedding venue was determined to be sound apart from the hole in the roof.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
And provide earplugs for guests who are sound sensitive.
—Alix Strauss, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The top floor has been completely transformed into living quarters for visiting artists, each room designed with maximum sound insulation to allow guests space to concentrate.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
Freemantle and Garland met when the sound designer worked on Danny Boyle’s 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio-starring thriller The Beach, based on Garland’s novel.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024
Adverb
The garbage disposal features a generous 0.75 horsepower motor that is sound-insulated.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023
Some examples include watches with alarms, visual timers, sound-blocking headphones, and calculators.
—Lisa Jo Rudy, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2023
There could be sound-absorbing qualities, too, which gave the ceilings their other name: acoustical ceilings.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2023
Porsche also outfitted lightweight glass and a slinkier battery, whittled out some of the sound-deadening material, and even deleted the rear seat.
—Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 23 Nov. 2022
Every practice and bus ride are sound-tracked by a JBL Bluetooth speaker and a steady stream of hits from Adele and Pitbull.
—BostonGlobe.com, 6 Nov. 2021
Qualifying property owners, who must have their buildings sound-tested, will each receive about $40,000 in upgrades.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2021
Even more sound-deadening materials arrived for 2004, as did new stereo speakers to take advantage of the ostensibly quieter cabin.
—Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 29 Apr. 2021
The local fire department said earlier that the main material burning was sound-absorbing cotton.
—Bloomberg.com, 25 Sep. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sound.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to sound
Dictionary Entries Near sound
Cite this Entry
“Sound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sound. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sound
1 of 6 adjective1
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
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
sound
2 of 6 adverb
: to the full extent : thoroughly
sound asleep
sound
3 of 6 noun1
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
Etymology
Adjective
Old English gesund "free from injury or disease"
Noun
Middle English soun "a sound, something that can be heard," from early French son (same meaning), from Latin sonus "a sound" — related to unison
Noun
Old English sund "a sea, swimming"
Verb
Middle English sounden "to measure the depth of," from early French sonder (same meaning), from sonde "a line used for measuring depths"; probably of Germanic origin
Medical Definition
sound
1 of 4 adjective1
: 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.Love words? Need even more definitions?
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