reverberate

[ verb ri-vur-buh-reyt; adjective ri-vur-ber-it ]

verb (used without object)

, re·ver·ber·at·ed, re·ver·ber·at·ing.

1. to reecho or resound:

   Her singing reverberated through the house.

   Synonyms: vibrate, rebound, ring, carry

2. Physics. to be reflected many times, as sound waves from the walls of a confined space.
3. to rebound or recoil.
4. to be deflected, as flame in a reverberatory furnace.

verb (used with object)

, re·ver·ber·at·ed, re·ver·ber·at·ing.

1. to echo back or reecho (sound).
2. to cast back or reflect (light, heat, etc.).
3. to subject to reflected heat, as in a reverberatory furnace.

adjective

1. reverberant.

reverberate

/ rɪˈvɜːbəˌreɪt /

verb

1. intr to resound or re-echo

   the explosion reverberated through the castle

2. to reflect or be reflected many times
3. intr to rebound or recoil
4. intr (of the flame or heat in a reverberatory furnace) to be deflected onto the metal or ore on the hearth
5. tr to heat, melt, or refine (a metal or ore) in a reverberatory furnace

Derived Forms

• reverberˈation, noun
• reˈverberant, adjective
• reˈverberantly, adverb

Other Words From

• re·ver·ber·a·tive [ri-, vur, -b, uh, -rey-tiv, -ber-, uh, -], adjective
• re·verber·ator noun
• unre·verber·ated adjective
• unre·verber·ating adjective
• unre·verber·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverberate¹

First recorded in 1540–50, reverberate is from the Latin word reverberātus (past participle of reverberāre to strike back). See reverberant, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverberate¹

C16: from Latin reverberāre to strike back, from re- + verberāre to beat, from verber a lash

Example Sentences

Photographer, artist, musician and diva Tyler Matthew Oyer and I popped around the scene, where Oyer captured moments backstage and on the runway that reverberated with heat and intimacy.

From Los Angeles Times

Experts said the White House could also seek a federal determination that such care is dangerous or experimental, which would reverberate through federally funded programs.

From Los Angeles Times

Fans remained standing throughout as an ear-splitting, pulsating roar for Tyson reverberated around the stadium, home to the Dallas Cowboys NFL team.

From BBC

Her voice reverberates throughout the St. James Theatre with seismic force.

From Los Angeles Times

The sound of feet on the metal staircases reverberated around the building.

From BBC

Related Words

• echo
• resound