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

An incoming electromagnetic wave accelerates electrons in the antenna, setting up a standing wave.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

At any one moment these two effects are distributed periodically or cyclically through space, and these changes in time and space constitute an electric wave or electromagnetic wave.

From Hertzian Wave Wireless Telegraphy by Fleming, John Ambrose