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

Voilà, your water wave has tunneled through a wall!

From Scientific American

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

“If you’re in a pool and you launch a water wave, it will leave where you are.… But it’s just not normal for heat to behave that way.”

From Scientific American

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

From Washington Times

He trained scores of graduate students and produced three influential texts: “Beach Nourishment: Theory and Practice”; “Water Wave Mechanics for Engineers & Scientists,” written with Robert A. Dalyrmple, a former student; and “Coastal Processes with Engineering Applications.”

From New York Times