radio wave

/ˌreɪdiˈoʊ weɪv/

Other forms: radio waves

Definitions of radio wave

1. noun

   an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength between 0.5 cm to 30,000 m
   synonyms: radio emission, radio radiation

   types:

   sky wave

   a radio wave that is reflected back to earth by the ionosphere or a communications satellite; permits transmission around the curve of the earth's surface

   ground wave

   a radio wave propagated on or near the earth's surface

   radio signal

   a radio wave used to transmit and receive messages

   carrier, carrier wave

   a radio wave that can be modulated in order to transmit a signal

   short wave

   a radio wave with a wavelength less than 100 meters (a frequency greater than 3 megahertz)

   medium wave

   a radio wave with a wavelength between 100 and 1000 meters (a frequency between 300 kilohertz and 3000 kilohertz)

   long wave

   a radio wave with a wavelength longer than a kilometer (a frequency below 300 kilohertz)

   ionospheric wave

   a sky wave that is reflected by the ionosphere

   type of:

   electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic wave, nonparticulate radiation

   radiation consisting of waves of energy associated with electric and magnetic fields resulting from the acceleration of an electric charge