new wave

noun, often capitalized N&W

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of new wave

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

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new-wave

play \ˈnü-ˈwāv, ˈnyü-, -ˌwāv\ adjective

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new waver

play \ˈnü-ˈwā-vər, ˈnyü-\ noun

See new wave defined for English-language learners

Examples of new wave in a Sentence

people who listened to punk, New Wave, or disco

Recent Examples of new wave from the Web

This is particularly true of the 16-bit era Final Fantasy games for Super Nintendo, which ushered in a new wave of Japanese role-playing fans in the 1990s.

— andrew webster, The Verge, "Octopath Traveler is a modern take on classic Final Fantasy on the Nintendo Switch," 12 July 2018
Many in the audience wear ties, elaborate hairdos and other signs of a new wave influence.

— peter hartlaub, SFChronicle.com, "Lost SF punk rock photos surface: Temple Beautiful, Mabuhay and Deaf Club," 15 June 2018
With some use cases today, in fact, hardware and software are now being developed on parallel tracks with the aim of supporting this new wave of AI chips and use cases.

— andy patrizio, Ars Technica, "The AI revolution has spawned a new chips arms race," 9 July 2018
The Syrian Civil Defense, a team of first responders, said that more than 150 airstrikes targeted 12 towns and villages in eastern and western Daraa since dawn, setting off a new wave of displacement.

— chicagotribune.com, "Barrage of airstrikes hit rebel-held areas in southwestern Syria; at least 17 dead," 28 June 2018
Recent years have brought a new wave of Catalan cultural restoration, as the region tries to reclaim its individual identity after decades of repression.

— kate keller, Smithsonian, "Beyond the Headlines, Catalan Culture Has a Long History of Vibrancy and Staying Power," 25 June 2018
But its latest remarks on the subject have set off a new wave of concerns.

— jessica guynn, USA TODAY, "Facebook has 'no plans' to listen in on your conversations (for now), but the creepy stories mount," 23 June 2018
The unexpected move has triggered a new wave of concern and even more uncertainty about the market’s future.

— gregory b. hladky, courant.com, "Decline Of Hartford Regional Market Linked To State Fiscal Woes," 12 June 2018
After releasing his 10-track debut album, Sum of My Music, in March, the 34-year-old crooner has earned a new wave of fans outside Empire viewers.

— carl lamarre, Billboard, "Jussie Smollett on His New Album 'Sum of My Music' & Taking Ownership of His Life: 'I've Never Sold Myself to Anybody'," 6 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'new wave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of new wave

1960

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

NEW WAVE Defined for English Language Learners

new wave

noun

Definition of new wave for English Language Learners

: a movement in which a group of people introduce new styles or ideas in art, music, politics, etc.
New Wave : a style of rock music that was popular especially in the 1970s and 1980s, has a strong beat, and uses many electronic instruments (such as keyboards)
: a modern style of art, film, or fashion that tries to be very different or unusual often in a shocking way