wave

verb

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\ ˈwāv

waved; waving

Definition of wave

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

3 of water : to move in waves : heave

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

3a : to motion to (someone) to go in an indicated direction or to stop : signal waved down a passing car

b : to gesture with (the hand or an object) in greeting or farewell or in homage

c : to dismiss or put out of mind : disregard —usually used with aside or off

d : to convey by waving waved farewell

4 : brandish, flourish waved a pistol menacingly

wave

noun (1)

Definition of wave (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : a moving ridge or swell on the surface of a liquid (as of the sea)

b chiefly literary : water, sea … this our island in the wave …— Charles Dickens The buccaneer on the wave might relinquish his calling and become … a man of probity and piety on land …— Nathaniel Hawthorne The sea was open to them, and they achieved their victories on the briny wave. — The Book of Commerce by Sea and Land

2a : a shape or outline having successive curves

b : a waviness of the hair

c : an undulating line or streak or a pattern formed by such lines

3 : something that swells and dies away: such as

a : a surge of sensation or emotion a wave of anger swept over her

b : a movement sweeping large numbers in a common direction waves of protest

c : 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 as

a : a surging movement of a group a big new wave of women politicians

b : one of a succession of influxes of people migrating into a region

c(1) : a moving group of animals of one kind

(2) : a sudden rapid increase in a population

d : a line of attacking or advancing troops or airplanes

e : 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 temperature

b : one complete cycle of such a disturbance

8 : a marked change in temperature : a period of hot or cold weather

9 : an undulating or jagged line constituting a graphic representation of an action

Wave

noun (2)

\ ˈwāv

Definition of Wave (Entry 3 of 3)

: a member of the women's component of the U.S. Navy formed during World War II and discontinued in the 1970s

Other Words from wave Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about wave

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Other Words from wave

Noun (1)

waveless \ ˈwāv-ləs

\ adjective

wavelessly adverb

wavelike \ ˈwāv-ˌlīk

\ adjective

Synonyms for wave

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun (1)

Choose the Right Synonym for wave

Verb

swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down. swing implies regular or uniform movement. swing the rope back and forth wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion. waving the flag flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement. flourished the winning lottery ticket brandish implies threatening or menacing motion. brandishing a knife thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement. an infant thrashing his arms about

Examples of wave in a Sentence

Verb 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. Noun (1) 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 on the Web: Verb The next day, White House press secretary Jen Psaki attempted to wave away the matter. — Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2021 Tall bamboo shoots wave where a wall of colorful sweet peas once reigned near Rosalind Avenue — close to the giant reclining sculpture that’s a favorite of kids, who perch on the figure’s big stone hand while parents snap their photos. — Joy Wallace Dickinson, orlandosentinel.com, 4 Apr. 2021 When Diana returned home from the hospital with baby William, Margaret gathered up the staff and rushed outside with them to wave handkerchiefs and tea towels as mother and baby drove by. — Andrew Morton, Town & Country, 30 Mar. 2021 Sometimes his parents just had to yell a little louder or wave a bit more frantically to reveal their spot. — Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2021 Many Scottish exporters feel aggrieved that while the British decided to wave through many European trucks for several months as the kinks are worked out of the system, France put the new rules in place from Day 1. — New York Times, 13 Jan. 2021 The first 100 cars will be given a flag to wave as well, Storch said. — Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2020 Smile, wave, say hello, start a simple conversation. — Karen Martin, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2020 Ator practically parked the gold car next to Leyva’s husband, who turned to look and wave at the vehicle. — Alex Briseno, Dallas News, 11 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The wave of legislation comes as school districts are seeking to rectify the root causes of racial disparities in student outcomes and make history curriculum more accurate and inclusive. — Olivia Krauth, The Courier-Journal, 4 June 2021 Like king tides, the wave that will lift all paychecks requires a perfect storm of leadership, talent, exposure, performances, marketing — to be aligned. — New York Times, 3 June 2021 The Korean wave of popular culture known as the Hallyu has introduced k-pop, k-drama and Korean film to every corner of the world. — Joan Macdonald, Forbes, 3 June 2021 Lake Erie should be relatively calm all weekend with wave heights of 1 foot or less. — Mike Rose, cleveland, 3 June 2021 But what began as a token stint resulted in multiple diplomatic spats and the country’s worst-ever wave of public antisemitic rhetoric. — Cnaan Liphshiz, sun-sentinel.com, 3 June 2021 The wave of legislation reflects a cultural shift in our nation. — Ashan Singh, ABC News, 2 June 2021 My Chemical Romance, Smashing Pumpkins and Run the Jewels were part of the first wave announcement, made in June 2020. — Tracy Swartz, chicagotribune.com, 2 June 2021 The state reported 249 people with COVID-19 were hospitalized in Minnesota on Sunday, down from a peak in the latest pandemic wave of 699 on April 14. — Jeremy Olson, Star Tribune, 1 June 2021

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.

History and Etymology for wave

Verb

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

Noun (2)

Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service

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Last Updated

4 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wave. Accessed 12 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for wave

wave

verb

English Language Learners Definition of wave

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

noun

English Language Learners Definition of wave (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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

See the full definition for wave in the English Language Learners Dictionary

wave

verb

\ ˈwāv

waved; waving

Kids Definition of wave

(Entry 1 of 2)

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.

wave

noun

Kids Definition of wave (Entry 2 of 2)

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

wave

noun

\ ˈwāv

Medical 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 temperature

b : one complete cycle of such a disturbance

2 : an undulating or jagged line constituting a graphic representation of an action an electroencephalographic wave