long wave

American  

noun

1. Electricity. an electromagnetic wave over 60 meters in length.

2. Geology. L wave.

---

long wave British  

noun

1. 1. a radio wave with a wavelength greater than 1000 metres

   2. ( as modifier )

      a long-wave broadcast

---

Other Word Forms

• long-wave
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of long wave

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The U.S. is still in the early innings of a long wave upturn in productivity growth—driven in large part by demographic necessity, writes Richard de Chazal, William Blair’s macro analyst.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

The U.S. is still in the early innings of a long wave upturn in productivity growth—driven in large part by demographic necessity, writes Richard de Chazal, William Blair’s macro analyst.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

The death of long wave, when it comes, will be mourned by many radio fans, says John McCullagh, president of the Radio Society of Great Britain.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2023

The only other remaining broadcasters in the world using the long wave band are those in Romania, Poland, Algeria, Morocco and Mongolia.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2023

And then a long wave of warmth crossed the small town.

From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury