What type of wave can be described as a wave that requires a medium to travel through?

A mechanical wave is the type of wave that requires a medium to travel through, such as air, water, or solid materials. Mechanical waves need particles in the medium to transmit the wave's energy, which is a fundamental characteristic that distinguishes them from electromagnetic waves. For example, sound waves are mechanical waves that need air (or another medium) to propagate; if sound is in a vacuum, it cannot travel because there are no particles to carry the wave.

In contrast, electromagnetic waves, such as light, do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum. They propagate through electrical and magnetic fields. Transverse waves and longitudinal waves are types of mechanical waves, but the key aspect of mechanical waves as a whole is their dependence on a medium, making "mechanical wave" the most accurate choice for this question.