shortwave

[ shawrt-weyv ]
/ ˈʃɔrtˈweɪv /

noun

Electricity. a radio wave shorter than that used in AM broadcasting, corresponding to frequencies of over 1600 kilohertz: used for long-distance reception or transmission.
shortwave radio.
Physics. a wave of electromagnetic radiation equal in length to, or shorter than, the wavelength of visible light.

adjective

of, relating to, or using shortwaves.

verb (used with or without object), short·waved, short·wav·ing.

to transmit by shortwaves.

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Origin of shortwave

First recorded in 1900–05; short + wave

Words nearby shortwave

shorts, shortsighted, shortsightedness, shortstop, shortwall, shortwave, shortwave diathermy, shortwave radio, shortweight, shorty, shosholoza
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for short-wave

Scientific definitions for short-wave

shortwave
[ shôrt′wāv′ ]

A radio wave with a frequency between 5.9 megahertz and 26.1 megahertz. Shortwaves broadcast from the Earth's surface are reflected by the upper atmosphere and can travel great distances around the planet. The shortwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum is used for amateur radio communications.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.