shortwave

[shawrt-weyv]

noun

1. 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.

2. shortwave radio.

3. Physics.,  a wave of electromagnetic radiation equal in length to, or shorter than, the wavelength of visible light.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or using shortwaves.

verb (used with or without object)

shortwaved, shortwaving 

1. to transmit by shortwaves.

shortwave

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shortwave¹

First recorded in 1900–05; short + wave

Example Sentences

At night, she turns on the shortwave radio to eavesdrop on other starving families without being tempted to help.

From Los Angeles Times

Although authorities in some of these countries block the broadcasts - VOA, for instance, is banned in China - people can listen to them on shortwave radio, or get around the restrictions via VPNs.

From BBC

Although BBC radio programmes have been suspended, the website is not blocked and the radio can still be accessed on shortwave.

From BBC

A team of researchers led by Associate Professor Kenta Kimura of the Graduate School of Engineering at Osaka Metropolitan University investigated the phenomenon of nonreciprocal optical absorption in the magnetoelectric antiferromagnet LiNiPO4 at shortwave infrared wavelengths.

From Science Daily

Ms. Castro wrote that the C.I.A., which she was instructed to call “the company” to deflect suspicions, communicated with her in Havana by shortwave radio, playing the “Fascination Waltz” each day at 7 p.m. followed by a coded message.

From New York Times

Related Words

• transmission 
• wireless