wave theory

noun

1. Also called undulatory theory. Physics. the theory that light is transmitted as a wave, similar to oscillations in magnetic and electric fields. Compare corpuscular theory.
2. Historical Linguistics. a theory that accounts for shared features among languages or dialects by identifying these features as innovations that spread from their points of origin to the speech of contiguous areas.

wave theory

noun

1. the theory proposed by Huygens that light is transmitted by waves
2. any theory that light or other radiation is transmitted as waves See electromagnetic wave

Word History and Origins

Origin of wave theory¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The effect is of a droplet that appears to walk along a rippled surface in patterns that turn out to be in line with de Broglie's pilot wave theory.

From Science Daily

Isaac Newton concluded that light consists of particles in 1672; Christiaan Huygens developed his wave theory of light six years later.

From Scientific American

But not everyone in the mainstream media rode along with the red wave theory.

From Los Angeles Times

But according to the wave theory of light, there is another way to get high-energy light: make it brighter.

From Literature

Rather more people, though, know that he had something to do with the wave theory of light.

From Literature