electromagnetic pulse
noun
: a pulse of high-intensity electromagnetic radiation generated especially by a nuclear blast high above the earth's surface and held to disrupt electronic and electrical systems
Any nuclear bomb detonated high above the atmosphere bathes the area below in a powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that is likely to burn out delicate electronic chips, transistors, computers and power and communication systems. The pulse happens at the speed of light, covering an entire continent.—
William Broad
—abbreviation EMP
William BroadExamples of electromagnetic pulse in a Sentence
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Some bits get altered periodically in a database somewhere, as infinitesimal patches of ferromagnetism on disks or electromagnetic pulses flitting from here to there.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 May 2012
Additionally, the plane has shielding over every bit of its wiring and electronics to protect it from a potential electromagnetic pulse, such as one caused by a nuclear weapon.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2025
As one of his final acts before heading underground, Bradford refrained from pushing the button, instead triggering an electromagnetic pulse that would disable the nukes, along with the rest of the world’s electronics.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
The one Stanley built has three antennas with bandwidth from 20 to 80 megahertz (MHz) to record powerful electromagnetic pulses in the very high-frequency range that lightning is known to produce.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 July 2019
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IEEE Spectrum, 30 May 2012
Additionally, the plane has shielding over every bit of its wiring and electronics to protect it from a potential electromagnetic pulse, such as one caused by a nuclear weapon.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2025
As one of his final acts before heading underground, Bradford refrained from pushing the button, instead triggering an electromagnetic pulse that would disable the nukes, along with the rest of the world’s electronics.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
The one Stanley built has three antennas with bandwidth from 20 to 80 megahertz (MHz) to record powerful electromagnetic pulses in the very high-frequency range that lightning is known to produce.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 July 2019
See All Example Sentences for electromagnetic pulse
Cite this Entry
“Electromagnetic pulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electromagnetic%20pulse. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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