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.

---

radio wave British  

noun

1. an electromagnetic wave of radio frequency

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of radio wave

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

radio wave

Timely communication was a concern at times, the report said, with the department lacking a necessary number of radio wave frequencies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Once the radio wave input was switched off, the magnons organized themselves into a time crystal.

From Science Daily ● May 5, 2026

"Likewise bits of high ground are better for radio wave propagation, better for co-ordination of drones."

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 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

Basically radar is nothing but a piece of electronic equipment that "shouts" out a radio wave and "listens" for the echo.

From The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects by Edward J. Ruppelt

Related Words

• microwave