radio frequency

noun

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Definition of radio frequency

: 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

Radio Frequencies Table

See radio frequency defined for kids

Recent Examples of radio frequency from the Web

Even in this catastrophe, the police and firefighters operated on separate radio frequencies, replicating the laddish rivalries that prevailed after a 1993 bombing at the trade center.

— New York Times, "The Last 9/11 Fire Chief Bows Out," 10 July 2018
So to learn more about lightning on the gas giant, researchers analyzed data collected by the Microwave Radiometer Instrument on Juno, which picks up a wide spectrum of radio frequencies.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Jupiter’s Lightning Is More Earth-Like Than We Thought," 8 June 2018
Trump has also asked for a report on improving U.S. space radio frequency spectrum policies to encourage commercial space industry.

— justin sink, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Orders Steps to Boost Growth in Commercial Space Industry," 24 May 2018
One is a Dutch radio antenna, which will study celestial radio frequencies blocked by Earth's atmosphere.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "China takes a critical first step toward landing on the far side of the Moon," 21 May 2018
Seen here with fellow mathematician Charles Pugh, Cartwright combined previous equations to solve scattered radio frequencies.

— jessie yeung, CNN, "Virginia Apgar, the pioneer of neonatal health," 7 June 2018
The program uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology; spies utilize a UV light to see hidden messages inked by rival minions that regular museumgoers don’t know is there.

— allison bagley, Houston Chronicle, "Calling All Secret Agents to the Children’s Museum of Houston," 6 June 2018
Her two favorites: Skin Thesis’ Runway Facial (incorporating laser, oxygen and LED facials) and a radio frequency facial, which all together cost up to $1,500 per visit.

— kaitlyn frey, PEOPLE.com, "Kim Kardashian's Go-To Skin Care Expert Reveals What Really Goes on During Their 10 PM Facials," 4 Apr. 2018
The cases were shown to shield more than 99% of the radio frequency waves emitted by cellphones.

— kavita daswani, latimes.com, "Father's Day gift ideas for the fitness-minded dad," 8 June 2018

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

First Known Use of radio frequency

1915

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

radio-frequency

adjective ra·dio-fre·quen·cy \ ˈrād-ē-ō-ˈfrē-kwən-sē \

medical Definition of radio-frequency

: of, relating to, using, or induced by radio frequencies

a new…procedure that uses radio-frequency heat to collapse veins
—Tara Parker-Pope

radio frequency

noun

medical Definition of radio frequency

: 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