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shortwave.

An electromagnetic wave with a relatively short wavelength; specifically, one with a wavelength generally between 10 and 100 metres, corresponding to a frequency between 3 and 30 megahertz.

9 characters2 syllables approx.English language

Meaning & usage

noun/ˈʃɔːtweɪv/Received-Pronunciation/ˈʃoɹtˌweɪv/General-American
  1. An electromagnetic wave with a relatively short wavelength; specifically, one with a wavelength generally between 10 and 100 metres, corresponding to a frequency between 3 and 30 megahertz.

    Shortwaves are longer than microwaves.
  2. An electromagnetic wave with a relatively short wavelength; specifically, one with a wavelength generally between 10 and 100 metres, corresponding to a frequency between 3 and 30 megahertz. Downward radiation in the shortwave (noun sense 1) frequency range which enters the Earth's atmosphere.

  3. An electromagnetic wave with a relatively short wavelength; specifically, one with a wavelength generally between 10 and 100 metres, corresponding to a frequency between 3 and 30 megahertz. A waveband comprising radio waves in the shortwave (noun sense 1) frequency range, especially when used in broadcasting.

    Many stations broadcast on shortwaves.
  4. An electromagnetic wave with a relatively short wavelength; specifically, one with a wavelength generally between 10 and 100 metres, corresponding to a frequency between 3 and 30 megahertz. In full shortwave radio: a radio which is able to receive radio waves in the shortwave (noun sense 1) waveband.

Where this word comes from

The noun is derived from short (adjective) + wave (noun). The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun. The adverb is also derived from the noun.

adj/ˈʃɔːtweɪv/Received-Pronunciation/ˈʃoɹtˌweɪv/General-American
  1. Of a radio wave: having a wavelength of between 10 and 100 metres, corresponding to a frequency between 3 and 30 megahertz.

    not-comparable
  2. Of radio equipment: capable of receiving or transmitting radio signals at wavelengths in the above range.

    not-comparable
Where this word comes from

The noun is derived from short (adjective) + wave (noun). The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun. The adverb is also derived from the noun.

adv/ˈʃɔːtweɪv/Received-Pronunciation/ˈʃoɹtˌweɪv/General-American
  1. Using radio waves having wavelengths of between 10 and 100 metres, corresponding to frequencies between 3 and 30 megahertz.

    not-comparable
Where this word comes from

The noun is derived from short (adjective) + wave (noun). The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun. The adverb is also derived from the noun.

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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.

Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.