Reverberation is a phenomenon associated with a

Reverberation is an acoustic phenomenon defined as the persistence of sound in an enclosed space after the source has stopped [1]. It is caused by multiple reflections of sound waves off various surfaces such as walls, floors, and ceilings [1]. Unlike an echo, which is typically a single distinct reflection delayed by more than 0.1 seconds, reverberation consists of a series of multiple reflections that arrive at the listener in a continuous, overlapping stream [1]. These reflections are so closely spaced (arriving in less than 0.1 seconds) that the human ear cannot distinguish them as separate sounds, resulting in a single prolonged sound wave. This effect is commonly observed in large indoor environments like concert halls, churches, and theaters where sound bounces repeatedly before decaying [1]. Refraction, by contrast, involves sound waves changing direction when passing between media of different densities.

Sources

1. [1] https://sathee.iitk.ac.in/article/physics/physics-difference-between-echo-and-reverberation/