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 is a move away from radio frequency communication and will enable real-time command and control, telemetry transmission, and even high-definition video streaming, in what could be a big step toward establishing sustainable lunar infrastructure. —Andrew Jones, Space.com, 31 Jan. 2025

That includes radio frequency and microcurrent treatments, which use electric shocks to firm the muscles and don’t contain enough supporting evidence for the safety of the fetus. —Shani Hillian, Essence, 20 Dec. 2024

Effective systems combine radar, radio frequency, acoustic detection, and infrared sensors. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

During his studies, Dauphin worked at the university's radio frequency identification lab. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

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