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

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

Developing broadband technology Samueli, who grew up in Los Angeles, was inspired to pursue a career in electrical engineering after building an AM/FM shortwave radio using a Heathkit electronics kit for a shop class, according to a 2021 Institute profile of Samueli. —IEEE Spectrum, 6 Mar. 2025

Radio blackouts After an X-class solar flare erupted, shortwave radio blackouts were detected across the Americas — the sunlit side of Earth at the time. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2025

As a result, a shortwave radio blackout event occurred across parts of the Pacific Ocean from the elevated amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that accompanied the flare. —Meredith Garofalo, Space.com, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shortwave

• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• aftershave
• architrave

Kids 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