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

As that controller managed the emergency, the local controller took over giving instructions on the ground control radio frequency, as well as continuing his tower responsibilities, the NTSB noted. —Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026

While the ground controller was coordinating all of this, the local controller took over transmitting ATC on both the ground and local radio frequencies, according to the NTSB. —Clara McMichael, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

QuantumRF is a minimally invasive procedure, per the manufacturer, that uses radio frequency to tighten skin and reduce fat. —Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026

The limited oversight led to a tumultuous environment as different entities competed for radio frequencies. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 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