See also: short-wave and short wave

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From short +‎ wave.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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shortwave (not comparable)

  1. (of radio waves) Having a wavelength of approximately 10 to 100 meters.
  2. (of radio equipment) Capable of transmitting or receiving signals at such a wavelength.

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See also

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Noun

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shortwave (plural shortwaves)

  1. (physics) An electromagnetic wave having a wavelength between approximately 10 and 100 meters, corresponding to frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz.
    Shortwaves are longer than microwaves.
  2. (colloquial, usually in the plural) Any frequency in this range, especially when used in broadcasting.
    Many stations broadcast on shortwaves.
    • 1972, Len Buckwalter, 99 Ways to Improve Your Shortwave Listening, page 90:
      The fun of listening to shortwave while in a car or boat is diminished by spark-plug noise created while the engine is running.
  3. (meteorology) Downward radiation entering the earth's atmosphere that is in the shortwave frequency range.
    • 1973, Richard G. Hendl, Statistical Analysis of Shortwave Fadeout Occurrence for the Years 1955 to 1969:
      Some doubt is cast on the quality of the shortwave fadeout data during the early part of the period considered.
    • 1995, Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document., page 214:
      A concise review is presented for the algorithm that has been tentatively selected to produce simulated net shortwave surface fluxes from measured TOA radiances.
    • 1996, 1986 Daily Daylight Cloud Fraction, Shortwave Surface Radiation, and Transmittance for 502 Sites, page 1:
      Shortwave radiative fluxes that reach the earth's surface are key factors that influence atmospheric and oceanic circulations as well as surface climate.

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