shortwave

[ shawrt-weyv ]

noun

1. Electricity. a radio wave shorter than that used in AM broadcasting, corresponding to frequencies of over 1600 kilohertz: used for long-distance reception or transmission.
2. shortwave radio.
3. Physics. a wave of electromagnetic radiation equal in length to, or shorter than, the wavelength of visible light.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or using shortwaves.

verb (used with or without object)

, short·waved, short·wav·ing.

1. to transmit by shortwaves.

shortwave

/ shôrt′wāv′ /

1. A radio wave with a frequency between 5.9 megahertz and 26.1 megahertz. Shortwaves broadcast from the Earth's surface are reflected by the upper atmosphere and can travel great distances around the planet. The shortwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum is used for amateur radio communications.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shortwave¹

First recorded in 1900–05; short + wave

Example Sentences

It was a ship with many decks, and I walked around everywhere, and everywhere there were collections of people listening to shortwave radios that would tell what happened.

From Time

Landsat 9’s Operational Land Imager can capture visible, near-infrared and shortwave-infrared light in nine wavelengths.

From Popular-Science

However, with the approaching shortwave trough and its cooler air aloft, these layers could be eroded enough to not hamper storm intensity.

From Washington Post

By the time the fifth year had passed, even shortwave reports had long since ceased.

From Project Gutenberg

And it was the same abroad, according to the few garbled reports thereafter obtainable only via ancient shortwave devices.

From Project Gutenberg

Much later, as they neared Riverview, Penny absently switched on the shortwave radio.

From Project Gutenberg

Like all cars belonging to the Swifts' key personnel, Bud's was equipped with a two-way shortwave radio.

From Project Gutenberg

Closing themselves into the car, the girls tried without success to get the outlaw shortwave station.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• transmission
• wireless