Waveguide

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A hollow or solid structure that directs electromagnetic waves or sound along a specific path with minimal loss
2. A structure designed to guide electromagnetic or sound waves through it while minimizing energy dissipation and maintaining signal integrity
3. A conduit that efficiently transports electromagnetic waves or sound between designated points, designed to reduce attenuation and reflection losses

Etymology: Waveguide is a plain compound: "wave" joined to "guide," with the sense that the structure guides a wave along a set path. The word describes a physical conduit, typically a hollow metal tube or a channel of dielectric material, that carries electromagnetic waves or sound from one point to another while keeping them from spreading out or bouncing back. Its meaning follows directly from its parts, so the literal sense and the technical sense are essentially the same.