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radio frequency
noun
: any of the electromagnetic wave frequencies that lie in the range extending from below 3 kilohertz to about 300 gigahertz and that include the frequencies used for communications signals (as for radio and television broadcasting and cell-phone and satellite transmissions) or radar signals
Examples of radio frequency in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This will be possible to accomplish thanks to special smart tags such as QR codes, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and near-field communication (NFC) chips.
—Alexei Dulub, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
The 560,000-square-foot facility manufactures parts for avionics, safety and flight control systems, radio frequency systems and weather radar, according to a news release.
—Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 2 Feb. 2024
Pol suggests four weeks between radio frequency sessions.
—Rachel Strugatz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2024
Because open firmware often allowed for pushing wireless radios beyond their licensed radio frequency parameters, firms like TP-Link blocked them, while Linksys (at that point owned by Belkin) continued to allow them.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2024
According to prosecutors, that equipment included network interface controllers and a radio frequency transmitter, whose exports are limited for national security and anti-terrorism reasons.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024
Thankfully, wireless devices all emit radio frequencies that are relatively easy to pinpoint, and basic RF detectors are available for around $50.
—Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 26 May 2023
The radiation generated by phones is RF, radio frequency.
—WIRED, 23 Sep. 2023
While most distance wireless power technologies rely on radio frequency transmission, Wi-Charge sends focused laser beams of infrared light.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 14 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'radio frequency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1915, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near radio frequency
Cite this Entry
“Radio frequency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radio%20frequency. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
Kids Definition
radio frequency
noun
: any of the electromagnetic wave frequencies between about 3 kilohertz and 300 gigahertz that are used especially in radio and television transmission and in radar
Medical Definition
radio frequency
noun
: any of the electromagnetic wave frequencies that lie in a range extending from below 3 kilohertz to about 300 gigahertz and that include the frequencies used for communications signals (as for radio and television broadcasting and cell-phone transmissions) or radar signals
—often hyphenated when used before another noun
radio-frequency waves
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