wave meaning and definition

WAVE noun

Definition of wave (noun)

1. one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
   • synonyms: moving ridge
2. a movement like that of a sudden occurrence or increase in a specified phenomenon
   • "a wave of settlers"; "troops advancing in waves"
3. (physics) a movement up and down or back and forth
   • synonyms: undulation
4. something that rises rapidly
   • "a wave of emotion swept over him"; "there was a sudden wave of buying before the market closed"; "a wave of conservatism in the country led by the hard right"
5. the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
   • synonyms: wafture, waving
6. a hairdo that creates undulations in the hair
7. an undulating curve
   • synonyms: undulation
8. a persistent and widespread unusual weather condition (especially of unusual temperatures)
   • "a heat wave"
9. a member of the women's reserve of the United States Navy; originally organized during World War II but now no longer a separate branch

WAVE verb

Definition of wave (verb)

1. signal with the hands or nod
   • "She waved to her friends"; "He waved his hand hospitably"
   • synonyms: beckon
2. move or swing back and forth
   • "She waved her gun"
   • synonyms: brandish, flourish
3. move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
   • "The curtains undulated"; "the waves rolled towards the beach"
   • synonyms: flap, roll, undulate
4. twist or roll into coils or ringlets
   • "curl my hair, please"
   • synonyms: curl
5. set waves in
   • "she asked the hairdresser to wave her hair"