sound

sound¹ / sound/ • n. vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person's or animal's ear: light travels faster than sound. ∎  a group of vibrations of this kind; a thing that can be heard: she heard the sound of voices in the hall don't make a sound. ∎  the area or distance within which something can be heard: we were always within sound of the train whistles. ∎  short for speech sound. ∎  the ideas or impressions conveyed by words: you've had a hard day, by the sound of it. ∎  (also musical sound) sound produced by continuous and regular vibrations, as opposed to noise. ∎  music, speech, and sound effects when recorded, used to accompany a film or video production, or broadcast: [as adj.] a sound studio. ∎  broadcasting by radio as distinct from television. ∎  the distinctive quality of the music of a particular composer or performer or of the sound produced by a particular musical instrument: the sound of the Beatles. ∎  (sounds) inf. music, esp. popular music: sounds of the sixties. • v. [intr.] emit sound: a loud buzzer sounded. ∎  [tr.] cause (something) to emit sound: she sounded the horn. ∎  [tr.] give an audible signal to warn of or indicate (something): a different bell begins to sound midnight. ∎  [tr.] say (something); utter: he sounded a warning that a coup was imminent. ∎  convey a specified impression when heard: he sounded worried. ∎  (of something or someone that has been described to one) convey a specified impression: it sounds as though you really do believe that | the house sounds lovely. ∎  [tr.] test (the lungs or another body cavity) by noting the sound they produce: the doctor sounded her chest. PHRASAL VERBS: sound off express one's opinions in a loud or forceful manner.DERIVATIVES: sound·less adj. sound·less·ly adv. sound·less·ness n. sound² • adj. 1. in good condition; not damaged, injured, or diseased: they returned safe and sound he was not of sound mind. ∎  based on reason, sense, or judgment: sound advice for healthy living the scientific content is sound. ∎  competent, reliable, or holding acceptable views: he's a bit stuffy, but he's very sound on his law. ∎  financially secure: she could get her business on a sound footing for the first time. 2. (of sleep) deep and undisturbed. ∎  (of a person) tending to sleep deeply: I am a sound sleeper. 3. severe: such people should be given a sound thrashing. • adv. soundly: he was sound asleep. PHRASES: (as) sound as a bell in perfect condition.DERIVATIVES: sound·ly adv. sound·ness n. sound³ • v. 1. [tr.] ascertain (the depth of water), typically by means of a line or pole or using sound echoes. ∎  Med. examine (a person's bladder or other internal cavity) with a long surgical probe. 2. [tr.] question (someone), typically in a cautious or discreet way, as to their opinions or feelings on a subject: we'll sound out our representatives first. ∎  inquire into (someone's opinions of feelings) in this way: officials arrived to sound out public opinion at meetings in factories. 3. [intr.] (esp. of a whale) dive down steeply to a great depth. • n. a long surgical probe, typically with a curved, blunt end. DERIVATIVES: sound·er n. sound⁴ • n. a narrow stretch of water forming an inlet or connecting two wider areas of water such as two seas or a sea and a lake.