Shepard tone

noun

A superposition of sine waves, separated by an octave, whose relative amplitude may be varied to give the illusion of a rising or falling note.

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Meanings

nounShepard tone (plural Shepard tones)

plural Shepard tones

  1. entertainmentA superposition of sine waves, separated by an octave, whose relative amplitude may be varied to give the illusion of a rising or falling note.

Origin

For Roger Shepard, American scientist.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Shepard tone. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shepard%20tone

MLA

“Shepard tone.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shepard%20tone. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Shepard tone,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shepard%20tone.

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