Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

shock wave

 noun
     
Related topics: Earth Sciences
shock wave
1 [uncountable and countable]HE a very strong wave of air pressure or heat from an explosion, earthquake etc:
The shock wave from the blast blew out 22 windows in the courthouse.
2

shock waves

strong feelings of shock that people feel when something bad happens unexpectedly - used especially in news reports:
The child's murder sent shock waves through the neighborhood.
the shock waves caused by his resignation
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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