long wave: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “long wave” mean?
A radio wave with a wavelength above one kilometre, used for broadcasting over long distances, especially in the past.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A radio wave with a wavelength above one kilometre, used for broadcasting over long distances, especially in the past.
1. The band of radio frequencies between 30 and 300 kHz. 2. Figuratively, a prolonged trend, influence, or emotional state that persists over time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more common in UK English due to the historical and continued use of long-wave radio broadcasts (e.g., BBC Radio 4 on 198 kHz). In the US, AM broadcasting uses medium wave; long wave is rarely used for public broadcasting and is thus more specialist.
Connotations
UK: Nostalgia, national radio, reliable signal in remote areas. US: Obsolete technology, specialist maritime/navigation signals.
Frequency
High frequency in UK technical/media contexts; low frequency in general US English.
Grammar
How to Use “long wave” in a Sentence
[broadcast/transmit] on long wavetune in to long wavethe long wave [of radio/frequency]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “long wave” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- We listened to the long-wave broadcast during the storm.
- He still owns an old long-wave receiver.
American English
- The research vessel uses long-wave communications at sea.
- Long-wave radio is largely obsolete here.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in media/telecoms discussing broadcast spectrum allocation.
Academic
Physics, engineering, media studies, history of technology.
Everyday
Used by older UK listeners referring to radio tuning (e.g., 'Radio 4 on long wave').
Technical
Precise reference to the 30-300 kHz frequency range in telecommunications, navigation (LORAN), and geophysics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “long wave”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “long wave”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “long wave”
- Writing as one word ('longwave') or without a hyphen in attributive position.
- Confusing with 'medium wave' (standard AM broadcast band) or 'short wave' (HF).
- Using 'long wave' as a verb (incorrect; you cannot 'long wave' something).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Standard AM broadcasting uses the medium wave band (530–1700 kHz). Long wave (30–300 kHz) is a lower frequency band used for some AM-style broadcasting, mainly in Europe, and for other purposes like navigation.
Yes, this is an accepted metaphorical extension, particularly in economics or sociology (e.g., 'a long wave of innovation'), though it is less common than the technical meaning.
Because long wave has been used for major national radio services in the UK (like BBC Radio 4). In the US, public radio primarily uses FM (VHF) and AM (medium wave), making long wave a specialist term.
As a noun phrase, it is typically two words: 'long wave'. When used as a compound modifier before a noun, it is usually hyphenated: 'long-wave radio'. 'Longwave' as one word is less standard but sometimes seen in technical branding.
A radio wave with a wavelength above one kilometre, used for broadcasting over long distances, especially in the past.
Long wave is usually formal, technical in register.
Long wave: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɒŋ ˈweɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɔːŋ ˈweɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on a long wave (figurative: experiencing a prolonged emotional period)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LONG, slow ocean WAVE travelling a great distance without breaking, just like long-wave radio signals travel far.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A WAVE (long wave = persistent, far-reaching, foundational communication).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'long wave' used in its primary, non-metaphorical sense?