new wave

noun

often capitalized N&W
1
: a cinematic movement that is characterized by improvisation, abstraction, and subjective symbolism and that often makes use of experimental photographic techniques
2
: a new movement in a particular field
3
: popular music less raw than punk rock and typically including unconventional melodies, exaggerated beats, and quirky lyrics
4
: dernier cri
especially : fashion that is strikingly outrageous
new-wave
ˈnü-ˈwāv How to pronounce new wave (audio)
ˈnyü-
-ˌwāv
adjective
new waver noun

Examples of new wave in a Sentence

people who listened to punk, New Wave, or disco
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cohesion is just one of a new wave of craft breweries embracing lager styles. Don Tse, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said the time away could bring a new wave of energy to Messi and the others. Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 1 June 2025 Jung welcomes this new wave of young doctors and their professional approach. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025 The games have been, for the most part, nail-biters – unpredictable, competitive matchups that appear to be sowing the seeds for a new wave of NBA superstars and team rivalries that should play out for years to come. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for new wave

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of new wave was in 1960

Cite this Entry

“New wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/new%20wave. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on new wave

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