shortwave

noun

short·​wave ˈshȯrt-ˌwāv How to pronounce shortwave (audio)
often attributive
1
: a radio wave having a wavelength between 10 and 100 meters
2
: a radio transmitter or receiver using shortwaves
3
: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength equal to or less than that of visible light

Examples of shortwave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Voice of America is the largest and oldest US international broadcaster; it was established in 1942 to fight Nazi propaganda via shortwave radio. — Sean Collins, Vox, 19 Mar. 2025 These conditions are in response to a passing upper level shortwave and surface cold front. — William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025 The length of this antenna is typically half the wavelength of the signal that is being received or transmitted, so a shortwave radio dipole working in the 20-meter band would be 10 meters long. — IEEE Spectrum, 6 Sep. 2022 Maxar Technologies Maxar also released a shortwave infrared image, which shows the heat coming from burning buildings during the fire Wednesday. — Ece Yildirim,russell Leung,fred Imbert,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shortwave

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortwave was in 1907

Rhymes for shortwave

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Cite this Entry

“Shortwave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortwave. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

shortwave

noun
short·​wave ˈshȯrt-ˈwāv How to pronounce shortwave (audio)
: a radio wave with a wavelength between 10 and 100 meters

Medical Definition

shortwave

noun
short·​wave ˈshȯrt-ˈwāv How to pronounce shortwave (audio)
1
: a radio wave having a wavelength between 10 and 100 meters
2
: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength equal to or less than that of visible light

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