shortwave

American  

[shawrt-weyv] / ˈʃɔrtˈweɪv /

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.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or using shortwaves.

verb (used with or without object)

shortwaved, shortwaving

1. to transmit by shortwaves.

shortwave Scientific  

/ shôrt′wāv′ /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of shortwave

First recorded in 1900–05; short + wave

Example Sentences

"As Iran wakes up to a new day, metrics show the national internet blackout is past the 84 hour mark," monitor Netblocks said, saying that the blackout could be circumvented with shortwave radio, connecting to cell coverage at borders, Starlink and satellite phones.

From Barron's

They’d barely begun to search when they spotted a shortwave radio, with a wire snaking into the bathroom and dangling out the window.

From Literature

He’d hang a copper wire out the window facing the courthouse, connect the homemade antenna to his shortwave radio, and exchange coded messages with Moscow.

From Literature

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

Related Words

• transmission
• wireless