water wave

¹

noun

1. a wave on the surface of a body of water.
2. a wave combed or pressed into wet hair and then dried.

water-wave

²

[ waw-ter-weyv, wot-er- ]

verb (used with object)

, wa·ter-waved, wa·ter-wav·ing.

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

Word History and Origins

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

Voilà, your water wave has tunneled through a wall!

From Scientific American

The usual solution is to simply boot your millions of cheap gametes directly into the water, wave bye-bye, and turn on some must-see TV.

From Scientific American

“Before they climb euphoric at the crest of their dirty water wave, with evil purposes & lies, here is a touch of reality,” Johana Tablada, a Cuban Foreign Ministry official, wrote on Twitter.

From New York Times

“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