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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 322 other agents with a 2B designation include Ginkgo biloba extract, Aloe vera whole leaf extract, and radio-frequency electromagnetic waves.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 17 July 2023
The company points out that there are no magnetic sensors or other electrical components inside the pillow, so there’s no need to worry about potential exposure to electromagnetic waves.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2024
The name comes from the luminiferous ether that was at one point thought to be the medium through which electromagnetic waves propagate, like sound waves propagate through air.
—Iljitsch Van Beijnum, Ars Technica, 29 June 2023
Radiation, in the form of traveling electromagnetic waves, does not require such a medium and can traverse a long distance.
Consider solar radiation, which carries heat from the sun to Earth’s surface.
—Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023
With this system, there is no security risk, because there are no unencrypted electromagnetic waves sent out into the air to hack.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 May 2022
Experimenters have also built 2-D black holes by using electromagnetic waves that are confined to surfaces.
—Steven Carlip, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2015
Wood may also prove to be an advantageous satellite material choice because electromagnetic waves can penetrate through it, meaning components like antennae could be held inside the satellite body instead of sticking out of it, simplifying the design.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2023
The French government agency that manages wireless communications frequencies issued the order after the iPhone 12 recently failed one of two types of tests for electromagnetic waves capable of being absorbed by the body.
—CBS News, 13 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electromagnetic wave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1882, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of electromagnetic wave was
in 1882
Dictionary Entries Near electromagnetic wave
Cite this Entry
“Electromagnetic wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electromagnetic%20wave. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on electromagnetic wave
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about electromagnetic wave
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