radio waves

Cultural  

1. Waves at the end of the electromagnetic spectrum with the lowest frequency (less than 300 megahertz) and the longest wavelength (from a few feet to many miles). Because of their low frequency, radio waves carry very little energy compared to other electromagnetic waves. (See Planck's constant.)

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Radio waves can pass through the atmosphere and therefore are very useful for communication. Commercial, short-wave, and citizens' band radio are broadcast with radio waves, as is television.

Example Sentences

The researchers found that the radio waves are likely produced where the stars' magnetic fields collide and interact with the stream of charged material flowing toward the white dwarf.

From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026

"This works similar to a normal camera, the difference being that in our case, radio waves instead of light waves are used for the recognition," explains the cybersecurity expert.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2026

The Merops autonomously seeks an incoming drone using radio waves, radar or the target’s heat signature.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

In 1886, the German physicist Heinrich Hertz demonstrated the existence of electromagnetic waves and discovered radio waves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

The behavior of light or radio waves is similar.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking