ScienceAugust 17, 2026
spectrogram
SPEK-truh-gram
Definition
A visual representation of the spectrum of frequencies of a signal as it varies with time, often used in acoustics to analyze sound.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'spectrum' (appearance or image) and the Greek 'gramma' (something written or drawn). It was coined in the early 20th century to describe devices or methods that create a graphic record of a spectrum.
In the news
The author uses a spectrogram to visualize and analyze the specific acoustic 'scrape' sounds of earthworms, allowing researchers to study patterns that are otherwise difficult to interpret by ear alone.
Worm munch matters: the new acoustic ecology of the soil
Read the full article ↗Aeon