low frequency

noun

Updated on: 5 Apr 2018

Definition of low frequency

: a radio frequency between medium frequency and very low frequency — see Radio Frequencies Table

Recent Examples of low frequency from the Web

And yet at this point there’s no agreement on whether high or low frequencies are best for 5G. High frequencies carry more data but can’t travel far and are easily blocked by rain and foliage.

— scott moritz, Bloomberg.com, "Trump's China Concern Adds Pressure in Race to Be First With 5G," 2 Apr. 2018
Despite a lower frequency of adults drinking heavily, 35.3% of deaths from car crashes involve alcohol, the 10th highest share of any state.

— cheyenne buckingham, USA TODAY, "These are America’s drunkest states," 8 Mar. 2018
That pre-merger spiral had been going on for much longer than that, emitting gravitational waves with much lower frequencies.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "LISA pathfinder mission a glorious success," 12 Feb. 2018
The Le Plur electronic dance music stage is still pointed west, away from civilization, so the possums in the City Park oak trees can enjoy the low frequency sounds (Possums are really into electronica; not everyone knows that).

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "Going to Voodoo Fest 2017? Here's some stuff to know," 24 Oct. 2017
As Douglas Quenqua at The New York Times reports, those lower frequencies are often produced by cargo ships, seismic research, wind turbines and pile driving.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Even Without Ears, Oysters Can Hear Our Noise Pollution," 27 Oct. 2017
The Le Plur electronic dance music stage is still pointed west, away from civilization, so the possums in the City Park oak trees can enjoy the low frequency sounds (Possums are really into electronica

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "Going to Voodoo Fest 2017? Here's some stuff to know," 24 Oct. 2017
While lower frequencies travel farther, penetrate buildings better and are less prone to interference, millimeter wave bands can deliver much more bandwidth – powering fiber-optic like speeds with imperceptible transmission delays.

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Qualcomm aims for lead in wireless race, makes first 5G modem data connection," 18 Oct. 2017
Conventional recording devices and tools to measure sound may not pick up very high or low frequencies, such as those above or below what the human ear can hear.

— josh lederman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hear it: Is this what US diplomats in Cuba heard in 'sonic attacks?'," 13 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'low frequency.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.