shortwave

noun

short·​wave ˈshȯrt-ˌwāv 

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

As a result, a shortwave radio blackout event occurred across parts of the Pacific Ocean from the elevated amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that accompanied the flare. —Meredith Garofalo, Space.com, 24 Feb. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shortwave

• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• aftershave
• architrave

Kids Definition

shortwave

noun

short·​wave ˈshȯrt-ˈwāv 

: a radio wave with a wavelength between 10 and 100 meters

Medical Definition

shortwave

noun

short·​wave ˈshȯrt-ˈwāv 

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