shortwave
noun
short·wave
ˈshȯrt-ˌwāv 
often attributive
1
: a radio wave having a wavelength between 10 and 100 meters
2
: a radio transmitter or receiver using shortwaves
3
: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength equal to or less than that of visible light
Examples of shortwave in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Intense enough to ionize Earth's upper atmosphere, the eruption caused a shortwave radio blackout centered over the Pacific Ocean.
—
Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 20 June 2025
Reports have already surfaced of a shortwave radio blackout centered over the Pacific Ocean that was especially strong over Hawaii, according to NOAA.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 June 2025
On June 15, North America found itself under a shortwave radio blackout, leading to a loss of signal at frequencies below 20 Megahertz (MHz).
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Since Tuesday, shortwave radio blackouts have been reported in parts of North America, South America, southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East, according to Spaceweather.com, a website run by astronomer Tony Phillips that closely monitors the sun’s daily activities.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortwave
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Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 20 June 2025
Reports have already surfaced of a shortwave radio blackout centered over the Pacific Ocean that was especially strong over Hawaii, according to NOAA.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 June 2025
On June 15, North America found itself under a shortwave radio blackout, leading to a loss of signal at frequencies below 20 Megahertz (MHz).
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Since Tuesday, shortwave radio blackouts have been reported in parts of North America, South America, southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East, according to Spaceweather.com, a website run by astronomer Tony Phillips that closely monitors the sun’s daily activities.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortwave
Cite this Entry
“Shortwave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortwave. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shortwave
noun
short·wave
ˈshȯrt-ˈwāv
: a radio wave with a wavelength between 10 and 100 meters
Medical Definition
shortwave
noun
short·wave
ˈshȯrt-ˈwāv
1
: a radio wave having a wavelength between 10 and 100 meters
2
: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength equal to or less than that of visible light
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