attenuate
What does "attenuate" mean?
To attenuate means to reduce the force, effect, or value of something. Think of it like stretching a piece of dough until it becomes thin and weak, or turning down the volume knob on a radio until the signal becomes faint and barely audible. It is most commonly used in scientific or formal contexts to describe the weakening of a signal, current, or force. You might hear it in medicine regarding the strength of a pathogen, or in physics regarding the loss of intensity in a wave as it travels through a medium.
"attenuate" in conversation
Technical discussion
The thick concrete walls will significantly attenuate the wireless signal.
The thick concrete walls will significantly attenuate the wireless signal.
Should we install a repeater then?
Should we install a repeater then?
Used here to describe the loss of signal strength.
Science class
We use heat to attenuate the bacteria in the sample.
We use heat to attenuate the bacteria in the sample.
So it makes them less dangerous?
So it makes them less dangerous?
Refers to the process of weakening a pathogen.
"attenuate" in a sentence
The heavy curtains helped attenuate the noise from the street.
The heavy curtains helped attenuate the noise from the street.
The new policy was designed to attenuate the impact of rising inflation on low-income families.
The new policy was designed to attenuate the impact of rising inflation on low-income families.
The signal is attenuated as it propagates through the fiber optic cable over long distances.
The signal is attenuated as it propagates through the fiber optic cable over long distances.
