transverse wave

noun

, Physics.

1. a wave in which the direction of displacement is perpendicular to the direction of propagation, as a surface wave of water.

transverse wave

noun

1. a wave, such as an electromagnetic wave, that is propagated in a direction perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the transmitting field or medium Compare longitudinal wave

transverse wave

1. A wave that oscillates perpendicular to the axis along which the wave travels. Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves, since the electric and magnetic fields oscillate at a right angle to the direction of motion. Waves in bodies of water are also transverse waves, since the molecules of water oscillate up and down perpendicular to the direction of the wave's motion.
2. Compare longitudinal waveSee more at wave

Word History and Origins

Origin of transverse wave¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

In a transverse wave, as the wave is moving in one direction, it is creating a disturbance in a different direction.

From Literature

You can view here animations of longitudinal and transverse waves, single particles being disturbed by a transverse wave or by a longitudinal wave, and particles being disturbed by transverse and longitudinal waves.

From Literature

The wave on a string is a transverse wave, moving the string back and forth, rather than moving up and down along the string.

From Literature

By hitchhiking on the transverse wave, a tired mother and calf might have to barely move a muscle, Fish says.

From Science Magazine

A transverse wave means that light’s oscillations travel perpendicular to the direction in which its energy moves.

From Scientific American