long wave

American  

noun

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

2. Geology. L wave.

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long wave British  

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      a long-wave broadcast

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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

In a statement, Arqiva says, "The current long wave network assets have been operational for 36 years and are energy intensive."

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2023

The BBC first began broadcasting on long wave in 1925, from a transmitter in Daventry.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2023

The audience rose as one long wave and clapped.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter