-
Trending Now:
More Trending:
- scaramouch non sequitur admiral's mast calumny kakistocracy
- ALL
Definition of wave
waved
;waving
intransitive verb
1 : to motion with the hands or with something held in them in signal or salute
2 : to float, play, or shake in an air current : move loosely to and fro : flutter flags waving in the breeze
4 : to become moved or brandished to and fro signs waved in the crowd
5 : to move before the wind with a wavelike motion field of waving grain
6 : to follow a curving line or take a wavy form : undulate
transitive verb
1 : to swing (something) back and forth or up and down
2 : to impart a curving or undulating shape to waved her hair
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of wave in a Sentence
We waved to our friends through the window.
She was waving in the direction of the bridge.
Flags were waving in the breeze.
The magician waved his magic wand.
The leader of the parade waved a flag.
It was so hot that we were all waving our hands in front of our faces to cool off.
Recent Examples of wave from the Web
-
Already having waved good-bye, my daughter stood with her back to me, paused in the vestibule, awaiting entry.
-
And here’s Celine waving to her admirers with some help from that tiger on her shirt.
-
To encourage higher efficiency and productivity, the Energy Department waved millions of dollars at its new corporate partners* as potential rewards for meeting deadlines for designing weapons and building bomb components at PF-4.
-
Among revelers waving American flags Sunday night, Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello—the leader of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party—echoed sentiments that the referendum’s message was clear.
-
Kansas’ basketball players stood in a horizontal line and waved to Bill Self’s parent/child campers as the Jayhawks’ 15th-year head coach introduced them one-by-one on the public address system Friday in Horejsi Center.
-
In the second row, Katherine waved her arms and mouthed the words to the song.
-
No one waves at me anymore, no one is taking my picture, no one wants a piece of the excitement.
-
The documentary revealed that the Soviets were shocked to see Israeli fans in Belgium (where the semifinal game was played) waving Israeli flags and cheering Maccabi Tel Aviv to the detriment of CSTA Moscow.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wave'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of wave
Middle English, from Old English wafian to wave with the hands; akin to Old English wæfan to clothe and perhaps to Old English wefan to weave
Synonym Discussion of wave
wave
Definition of wave
1a : a moving ridge or swell on the surface of a liquid (as of the sea)b : open water
2a : a shape or outline having successive curvesb : a waviness of the hairc : an undulating line or streak or a pattern formed by such lines
3 : something that swells and dies away: such asa : a surge of sensation or emotion a wave of anger swept over herb : a movement sweeping large numbers in a common direction waves of protestc : a peak or climax of activity a wave of buying
4 : a sweep of hand or arm or of some object held in the hand used as a signal or greeting
5 : a rolling or undulatory movement or one of a series of such movements passing along a surface or through the air
6 : a movement like that of an ocean wave: such asa : a surging movement of a group a big new wave of women politiciansb : one of a succession of influxes of people migrating into a regionc (1) : a moving group of animals of one kind (2) : a sudden rapid increase in a populationd : a line of attacking or advancing troops or airplanese : a display of people in a large crowd (as at a sports event) successively rising, lifting their arms overhead, and quickly sitting so as to form a swell moving through the crowd
7a : a disturbance or variation that transfers energy progressively from point to point in a medium and that may take the form of an elastic deformation or of a variation of pressure, electric or magnetic intensity, electric potential, or temperatureb : one complete cycle of such a disturbance
8 : a marked change in temperature : a period of hot or cold weather
wavelessly
adverbExamples of wave in a Sentence
The waves crashed onto the rocks.
She has a wave in her hair.
Waves of warm air washed over us.
We got a wave from the Queen.
The rabbit disappeared with a wave of the magician's wand.
Recent Examples of wave from the Web
-
However, the focus was mostly on her new 'do, which is a just-below-shoulder length lob styled in effortless loose waves.
-
The move sent shock waves through the cannabis industry.
-
A year ago at this time, the CIF Southern Section office sent shock waves with its release of the 2016 fall division realignment.
-
To help beat the heat (and the depressing news cycle), here’s a guide to a different breed of dive bars, splashy scenes where San Diegans can make waves in the sun.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wave'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of wave
1526
Wave
playDefinition of Wave
: a member of the women's component of the U.S. Navy formed during World War II and discontinued in the 1970s
Recent Examples of wave from the Web
-
However, the focus was mostly on her new 'do, which is a just-below-shoulder length lob styled in effortless loose waves.
-
The move sent shock waves through the cannabis industry.
-
A year ago at this time, the CIF Southern Section office sent shock waves with its release of the 2016 fall division realignment.
-
To help beat the heat (and the depressing news cycle), here’s a guide to a different breed of dive bars, splashy scenes where San Diegans can make waves in the sun.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'Wave'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of wave
Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service
Other History Terms
WAVE Defined for English Language Learners
wave
playDefinition of wave for English Language Learners
-
: to move your hand or something held in your hand usually in a repeated motion in order to signal or greet someone
-
: to float, shake, or move back and forth because of wind
-
: to move (something) back and forth
wave
Definition of wave for English Language Learners
-
: an area of moving water that is raised above the main surface of an ocean, a lake, etc.
-
: something that has the shape or movement of a wave
-
: a usually repeated movement of your hand or of something held in your hand especially as a signal or greeting
WAVE Defined for Kids
Definition of wave for Students
waved
;waving
1 : to move (as the hand) to and fro as a signal or in greeting
2 : to move (something) back and forth The Black Knight waved his lance weakly over our heads. — Jon Scieszka, Knights of the Kitchen Table
3 : to curve slightly Her hair waves naturally.
4 : to flutter with a rolling movement Flags waved in the wind.
Definition of wave for Students
1 : a moving ridge on the surface of water
2 : a waving motion a wave of the hand
3 : something that swells and dies away A wave of anger came over her.
4 : a rolling movement passing along a surface or through the air waves of grain
5 : a curving shape or series of curving shapes hair with waves
6 : a sudden increase in something a crime wave
7 : a motion that is somewhat like a wave in water and transfers energy from point to point sound waves
Medical Dictionary
wave
playMedical Definition of wave
1a: a disturbance or variation that transfers energy progressively from point to point in a medium and that may take the form of an elastic deformation or of a variation of pressure, electrical or magnetic intensity, electrical potential, or temperatureb: one complete cycle of such a disturbance
2: an undulating or jagged line constituting a graphic representation of an action an electroencephalographic wave
Learn More about wave
-
See words that rhyme with wave Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wave Spanish Central: Translation of wave Nglish: Translation of wave for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wave for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wave
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up wave? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!