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shock wave

noun [C]
 
 

Definition

a sudden wave of increased pressure or temperature, caused by an explosion, an earthquake, or an object moving faster than the speed of soundEarthquakes and volcanic eruptions a very strong reaction that spreads through a group of people when something surprising or bad happens: The assassination of the president sent shock waves across the world.Reacting and responding
(Definition of shock wave noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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