Shepard scale

noun

A series of Shepard tones constructed to give the illusion of a continuously rising (or falling) series of notes.

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Meanings

nounShepard scale (plural Shepard scales)

plural Shepard scales

  1. entertainmentA series of Shepard tones constructed to give the illusion of a continuously rising (or falling) series of notes.

Origin

For Roger Shepard, American scientist.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Shepard scale. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shepard%20scale

MLA

“Shepard scale.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shepard%20scale. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Shepard scale,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shepard%20scale.

Source: Shepard scale on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.