electromagnetic wave

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a wave produced by the acceleration of an electric charge and propagated by the periodic variation of intensities of, usually, perpendicular electric and magnetic fields.

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electromagnetic wave British  

noun

1. a wave of energy propagated in an electromagnetic field See also electromagnetic radiation

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electromagnetic wave Scientific  

1. A wave of energy consisting of electric and magnetic fields, oscillating at right angles to each other.

2. See more at electromagnetic radiation

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Etymology

Origin of electromagnetic wave

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

"The computational model predicts how design decisions affect electromagnetic wave propagation in the chip," said Nonaka, "to make sure proper signal coupling occurs and avoid unwanted crosstalk."

From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026

For vertical-vertical, the electromagnetic wave of both the transmitted and returned radar beam has peaks and valleys, similar to the rise and fall of ocean waves.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2024

For vertical-horizontal, the transmitted electromagnetic wave is like the ocean waves, but the wave returning from the targeted object is oriented side-to-side, similar to how a snake moves.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2024

But there is energy in an electromagnetic wave, whether it is absorbed or not.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

These people use an ancient system of electromagnetic wave propagation called frequency modulation, and once Lee and I rigged up a suitable transceiver the rest was simple.

From Control Group by Aycock, Roger D.