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• water wave
  water wave

  noun

  a wave on the surface of a body of water.
• water-wave
  water-wave

  verb (used with object)

  to set (hair) in a water wave.

water wave

¹ American  

noun

1. a wave on the surface of a body of water.

2. a wave combed or pressed into wet hair and then dried.

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water-wave ² American  

[waw-ter-weyv, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tərˌweɪv, ˈwɒt ər- /

verb (used with object)

water-waved, water-waving

1. to set (hair) in a water wave.

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Etymology

Origin of water wave¹

First recorded in 1550–60

Origin of water-wave²

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

In some cases, a water wave can move through a barrier just like a quantum particle, something you can demonstrate in your bathtub.

From Scientific American • Oct. 12, 2023

Voilà, your water wave has tunneled through a wall!

From Scientific American • Oct. 12, 2023

He’s not exactly sure what combination of water, wave force or sand caused the impact that hurt him.

From Washington Times • May 12, 2017

The most intuitive and easiest wave to imagine is the familiar water wave.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

As they passed over it, Minli saw the smooth water wave with gentle ripples and heard what sounded like faint drumming.

From "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin