shortwave

UK: /ˈʃɔː^rtweɪv/ US: /ˈʃɔrtˈweɪv/ ,(shôrt′wāv′)

Inflections of 'shortwave' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

shortwaves

v 3rd person singular

shortwaving

v pres p

shortwaved

v past

shortwaved

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

short•wave /ˈʃɔrtˈweɪv/   n. 

1. Radio and Television radio transmission or receiving that uses radio waves shorter than those used in AM broadcasting:
   [uncountable] Shortwave uses frequencies of over 1600 kilohertz.
2. [countable]
   • a radio wave of this type.
   • a radio that receives or transmits such waves.

adj. [before a noun]

3. Radio and Television of or relating to or using shortwaves:
   a shortwave radio operator.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

short•wave  (shôrt′wāv′), n., adj., v., -waved, -wav•ing. 
n. 

1. Radio and Television [Elect.] a radio wave shorter than that used in AM broadcasting, corresponding to frequencies of over 1600 kilohertz: used for long-distance reception or transmission.
2. Radio and Television See shortwave radio. 
3. Physics a wave of electromagnetic radiation equal in length to, or shorter than, the wavelength of visible light.

adj. 

4. Radio and Television of, pertaining to, or using shortwaves.

v.t., v.i. 

5. Radio and Television to transmit by shortwaves.

• short + wave 1900–05

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

short wave, short-wave, shortwave noun

1. a radio wave with a wavelength in the range 10–100 metres
2. (as modifier): a short-wave broadcast