Phrase guide

solitary wave

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A self-reinforcing pulse or travelling wave caused by any non-linear effect (found in many physical systems).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: natural-sciences, physical-sciences, physics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

(physics) a quantum of energy or quasiparticle that can be propagated as a traveling wave in nonlinear systems and is neither preceded nor followed by another such disturbance; does not obey the superposition principle and does not dissipate

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • soliton waves can travel long distances with little loss of energy or structure

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: soliton, soliton wave

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: traveling wave, travelling wave

History

Etymology

From solitary + wave.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 孤波 (gūbō) — Translations
  • Chinese Mandarin: 孤立波 (gūlìbō) — Translations
  • Japanese: 孤立波 (koritsuha) — Translations