radio frequency

noun

: any of the electromagnetic wave frequencies that lie in the range extending from below 3 kilohertz to about 300 gigahertz and that include the frequencies used for communications signals (as for radio and television broadcasting and cell-phone and satellite transmissions) or radar signals

Examples of radio frequency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Times may be affected because SEECOM is on a different radio frequency than QuadCom, requiring mutual aid to be dispatched through phone calls, Rynders said. — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Instead of a process that essentially used heat to weld and shape the unit, the Zoom Air unit is now formed by using radio frequencies. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

The hangar will focus specifically on radio frequency and measurement work associated with the B-21 program. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026

Common construction materials such as drywall, brick, plaster, metal ducts, and concrete can absorb or reflect radio frequencies at varying rates. — K.h. Koehler, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for radio frequency

• multifrequency
• infrequency

Kids Definition

radio frequency

noun

: any of the electromagnetic wave frequencies between about 3 kilohertz and 300 gigahertz that are used especially in radio and television transmission and in radar

Medical Definition

radio frequency

noun

: any of the electromagnetic wave frequencies that lie in a range extending from below 3 kilohertz to about 300 gigahertz and that include the frequencies used for communications signals (as for radio and television broadcasting and cell-phone transmissions) or radar signals

—often hyphenated when used before another noun

radio-frequency waves