electromagnetic pulse
noun
: a pulse of high-intensity electromagnetic radiation generated especially by a nuclear blast high above the earth's surface and held to disrupt electronic and electrical systems
An electromagnetic pulse is a quick burst of electromagnetic energy and is capable of short-circuiting a wide range of electronic equipment.—
Jonathan Chadwick
Jonathan ChadwickAny nuclear bomb detonated high above the atmosphere bathes the area below in a powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that is likely to burn out delicate electronic chips, transistors, computers and power and communication systems. The pulse happens at the speed of light, covering an entire continent.—William Broad
—abbreviation EMP
William BroadExamples of electromagnetic pulse in a Sentence
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The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which plays a large role in mood regulation, focus, and cognition, is on the left side of the brain’s frontal lobe, and Exomind uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate it during each treatment.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026
One bolt reached an extraordinary -303 kilo-ampères (the minus sign indicates the lightning's polarity, not that the current was less than zero), producing an intense electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that lit up the ionosphere.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 25 Nov. 2025
For example, the first telecommunications satellite, NASA’s Telstar 1, was knocked out by an electromagnetic pulse from the American high-altitude nuclear test Starfish Prime in November 1962.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
Such sensors can identify electromagnetic pulses, X-rays, and optical flashes from nuclear explosions anywhere on Earth, allowing the US to determine a detonation’s time, location, and yield in real time.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
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Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026
One bolt reached an extraordinary -303 kilo-ampères (the minus sign indicates the lightning's polarity, not that the current was less than zero), producing an intense electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that lit up the ionosphere.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 25 Nov. 2025
For example, the first telecommunications satellite, NASA’s Telstar 1, was knocked out by an electromagnetic pulse from the American high-altitude nuclear test Starfish Prime in November 1962.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
Such sensors can identify electromagnetic pulses, X-rays, and optical flashes from nuclear explosions anywhere on Earth, allowing the US to determine a detonation’s time, location, and yield in real time.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for electromagnetic pulse
Cite this Entry
“Electromagnetic pulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electromagnetic%20pulse. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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