Word
electromagnetic
Phoneticselec·tro·mag·net·ic
US/ˌɪˌɫɛktɹoʊmæɡˈnɛtɪk/
UK/ɪlˌɛktɹəʊmɐɡnˈɛtɪk/
Definition
adj. relating to the way electricity and magnetism work together. It describes energy that travels in waves, like light, radio signals, or X-rays.
adj. relating to the interrelation of electric currents or fields and magnetic fields. Describes radiation consisting of waves of energy associated with electric and magnetic fields resulting from the acceleration of an electric charge.
Examples
“The sun sends electromagnetic waves to Earth.”
“Modern smartphones use electromagnetic signals to communicate with cell towers and transmit data wirelessly.”
“The entire electromagnetic spectrum includes everything from long-wavelength radio waves to high-frequency gamma rays, though only a small portion is visible to the human eye.”
Examples
simple
“The sun sends electromagnetic waves to Earth.”
contextual
“Modern smartphones use electromagnetic signals to communicate with cell towers and transmit data wirelessly.”
complex
“The entire electromagnetic spectrum includes everything from long-wavelength radio waves to high-frequency gamma rays, though only a small portion is visible to the human eye.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; often used in technical or scientific contexts to describe radiation, waves, or forces.
Real-World Examples
“These particles are expected to interact very weakly with ordinary matter and electromagnetic fields; hence, they would be difficult to detect in conventional particle physics experiments.” “GPR works by transmitting electromagnetic waves into the ground.” “Researchers have devoted considerable attention to the plasma's intense swirling motion and powerful electromagnetic fields.” Etymology
From electro- + magnetic or electromagnet + -ic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.