shortwave

American  

[shawrt-wayv] / 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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shortwave shortwaving

Their approach uses shortwave infrared observations from Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellites.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 6, 2026

In 1941 Der Chef began delivering a salacious mix of gossip and foulmouthed fake news to German listeners over shortwave radio.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

He regularly gets on the subspace shortwave looking for any others of his kind left on Earth.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026

"It's really difficult for the regime to jam shortwave because it's a long-distance broadcast," executive director Rieneke van Santen told AFP.

From Barron's ● Mar. 13, 2026

He eases open the closet, takes out the Rola shortwave radio, sets it on the kitchen table, directly in front of Karl.

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Last week the Commission issued regulations which put a new complexion on U. S. shortwaving.

From Time Magazine Archive

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Related Words

• transmission
• wireless

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