plural new waves
1
: a movement in which a group of people introduce new styles or ideas in art, music, politics, etc.
—usually singular —often + of
a new wave of feminism
2
: 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)
people who listened to punk, New Wave, or disco
3
: a modern style of art, film, or fashion that tries to be very different or unusual often in a shocking way
—often used before another noun
new wave design/films
Cite this Entry
“New wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/new%20wave. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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