How Do You Spell SOUNDINGS?

Pronunciation: [sˈa͡ʊndɪŋz] (IPA)

The word "soundings" is spelled with six letters, but has eight sounds. The IPA phonetic transcription for "soundings" is /ˈsaʊndɪŋz/. The "s" at the end is pronounced as /z/ because it follows a voiced sound, the "n". The "ou" in "sound" is pronounced as /aʊ/, a diphthong sound that combines the sounds of "a" and "o". Finally, the "ng" sound at the end is pronounced as /ŋ/, a nasal sound made by closing the back of the mouth and forcing air out through the nose.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
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SOUNDINGS Meaning and Definition

  1. Soundings refers to the measurement or assessment of the depth of a body of water or a specific location within it. This term is particularly relevant in maritime navigation and hydrography, serving as a critical tool for charting and predicting safe passage for ships, boats, and submarines. Soundings are conducted using various techniques and instruments that accurately determine the vertical distance from the water's surface to the floor or bottom of the water body. These measurements are often represented on nautical charts, allowing mariners to navigate safely and avoid potential hazards such as sandbars, reefs, or submerged obstacles.

    Soundings can be obtained through different methods, including leadline soundings, which involve lowering a weighted line into the water and measuring the amount of line that becomes submerged. Another common method is echo sounding, which employs sonar technology to emit sound waves that bounce off the seafloor and return to the sensor, providing an estimate of the water depth.

    In addition to aiding navigation, soundings are crucial for scientific research and understanding the features and contours of the ocean floor. By analyzing soundings data, hydrographers and oceanographers can create accurate bathymetric maps, study marine ecosystems, and identify geological formations. The significance of soundings extends beyond practical applications, playing a key role in exploration, anthropogenic impact assessment, and environmental monitoring of aquatic environments.

  2. Parts of water where the bottom may be reached; the parts brought up from the bottom to show the nature of the ground.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for SOUNDINGS

Etymology of SOUNDINGS

The word "soundings" comes from the Middle English word "soundinge" which was derived from the Old English word "sundung" or "sundian", meaning "act of measuring depths". This Old English word is related to the Old Norse word "sund", which means "swimming" or "passage". Ultimately, both the Old English and Old Norse words can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "sundon", which has a similar meaning.

Idioms with the word SOUNDINGS

  • make/take soundings The idiom "make/take soundings" refers to the act of gathering information or opinions on a specific matter before making a decision or forming an opinion. It originates from the nautical term of using a sounding line, a rope or cable with a weight attached, to measure the depth of water in order to navigate safely. In a figurative sense, making or taking soundings implies a methodical approach to assessing the situation at hand, seeking diverse perspectives, and collecting relevant information before proceeding.

Similar spelling words for SOUNDINGS

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Correct spelling for soundings
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