在电磁学和通信工程中，波导这个词可以指在它的端点间传递电磁波的任何线性结构。但最初和最常见的意思是指用来传输无线电波的空心金属管。这种波导主要用作微波频率的传输线，在微波炉、雷达、通信卫星和微波无线电链路设备中用来将微波发送器和接收机与它们的天线连接起来。

介质波导采用固体介质杆而不是空心管。光导纤维是在光频率工作下的介质波导。微带、共面波导、带状线或同轴电缆等传输线也可以认为是波导。

金属管波导中的电磁波可以想象为沿Z字形路径在波导中行进，在波导的壁之间来回反射。对于矩形波导的特殊情况，可以立足于这种观点的精确分析。在介质波导中的传播也可以同样的方式看待，波被电介质表面的全内反射限制在电介质的内部。一些结构，如无辐射介质波导和高保线，使用金属壁和电介质表面来限制波。

In electromagnetics and communications engineering, the term waveguide may refer to any linear structure that conveys electromagnetic waves between its endpoints. However, the original and most common meaning is a hollow metal pipe used to carry radio waves. This type of waveguide is used as a transmission line mostly at microwave frequencies, for such purposes as connecting microwave transmitters and receivers to their antennas, in equipment such as microwave ovens, radar sets, satellite communications, and microwave radio links.