shortwave
[ shawrt-weyv ]
/ ˈʃɔrtˈweɪv /
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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.
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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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use shortwave in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for shortwave
short wave
noun
- a radio wave with a wavelength in the range 10–100 metres
- (as modifier)a short-wave broadcast
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for shortwave
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.