radio wave

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 30,000 meters, or a frequency between 10 kilohertz and 300,000 megahertz.

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radio wave British  

noun

1. an electromagnetic wave of radio frequency

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radio wave Scientific  

1. A very low frequency electromagnetic wave (from roughly 30 kilohertz to 100 gigahertz). Radio waves are used for the transmission of radio and television signals; the microwaves used in radar and microwave ovens are also radio waves. Many celestial objects, such as pulsars, emit radio waves.

2. See more at electromagnetic spectrum

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Etymology

Origin of radio wave

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Instead, information about the radio wave can be used.

From Science Daily • Oct. 9, 2025

And a turn toward an alternative radio wave technology proved to be an unnecessary detour in the race to 5G, allowing T-Mobile to amass a two-year advantage.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 16, 2023

They detected a faint polarised radio wave coming from the galactic cores.

From Space Scoop • Aug. 3, 2023

A radio astronomy devotee, he fills his spare time working on radio wave projects in a room littered with instruments and parts.

From Scientific American • Aug. 3, 2023

With a radio wave that small, one watt becomes a tremendous punch per bit and thus makes transmission at reasonable speed possible.

From Library of Congress Workshop on Etexts by Library of Congress

Related Words

• microwave