Reverberation: meaning, definitions and examples

🔊
Add to dictionary

reverberation

 

[ rɪˌvɜːr.bəˈreɪ.ʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

sound waves

The prolongation of sound by reflection; specifically, the reflection of a sound wave from a surface causing a distinct repetition of the original sound.

Synonyms

echo, resonance, reverberant sound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
reverberation

This appears to be a duplicate entry of the first word 'reverberation'. Its explanation and examples remain the same.

  • The reverberation in the concert hall made the music sound incredibly rich.
  • They needed to mitigate the reverberation in the conference room to improve speech clarity.
echo

Use 'echo' when referring to a sound that is reflected off a surface and heard again. This word is commonly used in everyday language and can also metaphorically describe the repetition of an idea or theme.

  • Her shout produced an echo in the mountains.
  • The senator's words found an echo in the hearts of many citizens.
resonance

Use 'resonance' when describing a sound that is deep, full, and reverberating. This word is often used in scientific contexts (e.g., physics, music) and can also describe a situation or message that evokes a strong emotional response.

  • The resonance of the gong filled the room.
  • His speech had a strong resonance with the audience, moving many to tears.
reverberant sound

Use 'reverberant sound' to describe a sound that is especially characterized by multiple reflections, making it sustain longer in a space. This phrase is generally used in more technical or descriptive writing.

  • The reverberant sound in the cathedral added to the ethereal atmosphere of the service.
  • Acoustic panels were installed to tame the reverberant sound in the recording studio.

Examples of usage

  • The reverberation of the music filled the concert hall.
  • The reverberation of his voice echoed through the canyon.
Context #2 | Noun

effect

A continuing effect; a repercussion or aftereffect.

Synonyms

consequence, impact, result.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
reverberation

Reverberation is typically used in the context of sound or vibrations being echoed back. It is often used metaphorically to describe the extended effects or aftershocks of an event.

  • The reverberation of the explosion could be felt miles away.
  • The scandal's reverberations affected the company for years.
impact

Impact is usually used to describe a strong effect or influence that something has on a person, situation, or the environment. It can be both positive and negative, depending on the context.

  • The new policy had an immediate impact on employee productivity.
  • The impact of climate change is being felt all over the world.
consequence

Consequence refers to something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions. It often carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation and is used to highlight the importance of outcomes, especially in social, legal, or logical contexts.

  • Skipping classes will have serious consequences on your grades.
  • The consequence of not wearing a seatbelt can be life-threatening.
result

Result is used to describe the outcome of a particular action, process, or event. It is neutral and can refer to any kind of outcome, whether positive, negative, or neutral.

  • The experiment's results were surprising to the scientists.
  • Paying attention in class resulted in higher test scores.

Examples of usage

  • The reverberations of the economic crisis were felt for years to come.
  • The reverberation of his actions affected the entire community.

Translations

Translations of the word "reverberation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reverberação

🇮🇳 गूँज

🇩🇪 Nachhall

🇮🇩 gema

🇺🇦 реверберація

🇵🇱 pogłos

🇯🇵 反響 (はんきょう)

🇫🇷 réverbération

🇪🇸 reverberación

🇹🇷 yansıma

🇰🇷 잔향 (잔향)

🇸🇦 صدى

🇨🇿 dozvuk

🇸🇰 dozvuk

🇨🇳 混响 (hùnxiǎng)

🇸🇮 odmev

🇮🇸 endurómur

🇰🇿 жаңғырық

🇬🇪 რევერბერაცია

🇦🇿 əks-səda

🇲🇽 reverberación

Etymology

The word 'reverberation' originates from the Latin word 'reverberatio', which means 'a beating back'. It has been used in English since the 15th century to describe the effect of sound waves reflecting off surfaces. The concept of reverberation has been studied in acoustics and audio engineering to understand how sound behaves in different environments.

See also: reverberator.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,509, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.