sounding
sounding Lexical Profile
sounding Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The action or process of measuring the depth of a body of water, formerly by means of a weighted line and now typically by echo-ranging or sonar.
"The research vessel took regular soundings along the continental shelf to map the ocean floor."
Cautious or preliminary inquiry and consultation undertaken to gauge people's opinions, intentions, or attitudes before taking action (usually used in the plural).
"Initial soundings among committee members suggest strong support for the revised budget."
The act of causing an instrument, alarm, or voice to emit a sound, or the sound so produced.
"The sounding of the factory horn signaled the end of the afternoon shift."
A vertical measurement of atmospheric conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed, taken at various altitudes by a weather balloon, rocket, or satellite.
"Meteorologists analyzed the morning atmospheric sounding to assess the potential for severe thunderstorms."
• adjective
Emitting, producing, or resonant with a deep, loud, or clear sound.
"The ancient cathedral was filled with the deep, sounding notes of the pipe organ."
Appearing impressive or grand in language, style, or title, though often lacking genuine substance.
"The candidate relied on sounding rhetoric rather than concrete policy proposals."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Sounding' derives from two distinct historical roots: as an adjective meaning 'resonant' or 'impressive', it comes from the Latin root for noise ('sonus'), whereas as a noun referring to measuring water depth or cautious inquiry, it comes from the Old French 'sonder' (to probe).
• Rhymes for sounding
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The acoustic sense derives from Middle English 'sounen', from Old French 'soner' and Latin 'sonare' (to make a noise). The nautical and investigative noun senses derive from Middle English 'sounden', from Old French 'sonder' (to plumb or measure depth), likely of Germanic origin related to Old English 'sund' (sea or water).