1. Plural of cardioid; heart-shaped curves or shapes, especially in mathematics and physics.
Usage: mathematics; physics
2. Plural of cardioid; microphones or microphone pickup patterns shaped like or resembling a heart, used to capture sound primarily from the front.
Usage: audio engineering; music production

Examples

• The mathematician drew several cardioids on the graph to illustrate the concept.
• Cardioids are commonly used in calculus courses to teach polar coordinates.
• The recording studio uses cardioid microphones to reduce background noise.
• Cardioids have a distinctive heart shape when plotted in polar form.
• Sound engineers prefer cardioids for live performances because of their directional sensitivity.
• The physicist studied the properties of cardioids in her research on wave patterns.