A type of radio wave with a shorter wavelength that can travel long distances around the Earth, used for international radio broadcasts.
Compound of 'short' (Old English 'sceort') and 'wave' (Old English 'wafian'). The term emerged in early 20th century radio technology to distinguish shorter electromagnetic waves from longer ones.
Shortwave radio was how people got news during wars and revolutions—it bounces off the ionosphere and can reach the other side of the world, which is why it became the technology of resistance movements and clandestine broadcasts.
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