cardioid

noun

car·​di·​oid ˈkär-dē-ˌȯid How to pronounce cardioid (audio)
: a heart-shaped curve that is traced by a point on the circumference of a circle rolling completely around an equal fixed circle and has an equation in one of the forms ρ = a(1 ± cos θ) or ρ = a(1 ± sin θ) in polar coordinates

Illustration of cardioid

Illustration of cardioid
  • ABP fixed circle
  • PCD first position of rolling circle
  • P tracing point
  • PM diameter through P
  • P1 P2 P3 P4 various positions of P
  • P1M1 P2M2 P3M3 P4M4 various positions of PM

Examples of cardioid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This was coupled with a doughnut shape of 68 triple 21-inch cardioid subs around the stage for even coverage throughout the venue, backed up by additional subs for the points furthest away. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2024 The largest lobe on top of the main cardioid, for example, represents functions that oscillate between three values. Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 Points in the main cardioid correspond to functions that, when iterated from a starting value of zero, converge to a single number. Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 The mic also comes with four different polar pattern options: cardioid, omnidirectional, stereo, and bidirectional. Tom Price, Popular Mechanics, 14 Mar. 2023 The cardioid mimics the appearance of an embryonic heart after about the first month of development. Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2021 The donation by Audio-Technica is a fitting one as the AT2020 cardioid condenser was the first side-address microphone that was priced less than £100/€100 and provided professional-quality sound. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021 The cells stay behind on the cardioid, which then starts to recover. Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2021 The Yeti can record in four different modes: cardioid, omni, bidirectional, and stereo. Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cardioid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cardioid was in 1747

Dictionary Entries Near cardioid

Cite this Entry

“Cardioid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cardioid. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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