electromagnetic wave

noun

: one of the waves that are propagated by simultaneous periodic variations of electric and magnetic field intensity and that include radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays

Examples of electromagnetic wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Australian system, developed over 40 years, works by refracting high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere to detect distant objects that are invisible to conventional radars because of Earth’s curvature. — Rod McGuirk, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026

The Australian system, developed over 40 years, works by refracting high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere to detect distant objects that are invisible to conventional radars because of Earth's curvature. — ABC News, 22 June 2026

Unlike electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves can be used over extremely small footprints while also retaining energy or information for much longer. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026

In fact, there is quite a bit of STEM R&D in your cell phone including digitization, electromagnetic waves, circuitry, transmission infrastructure, and other basic physics at the atomic level. — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for electromagnetic wave

• aftershave
• architrave
• autoclave
• microwave
• misbehave
• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave

Kids Definition

electromagnetic wave

noun

: a wave (as a radio wave, wave of visible light, or X-ray) that consists of an associated electric and magnetic effect and travels at the speed of light

Medical Definition

electromagnetic wave

noun

: one of the waves that are propagated by simultaneous periodic variations of electric and magnetic field intensity and that include radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays