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Definition wave in British English

wave noun

[countable] noun
/weɪv/
1

a line of water that rises up on the surface of a sea, lake, or river

Example

The boat was smashed by a huge wave.

Example

Children swam and played in the waves.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

the sea

Synonyms and related words
Example

A fresh wave of selling sent technology stocks even lower.

Example

a frightening wave of drug-related killings

Synonyms and related words
2.1

a large number of people moving or arriving somewhere at the same time

Example

Waves of protesters began arriving at the stadium.

Example

Demonstrators came to the rally in waves.

Synonyms and related words
2.2

a period of activity that is part of a series of similar periods

Example

Much of Dresden was destroyed by wave after wave of bombing.

3

a sudden strong feeling or emotion that a person or group of people has

Example

They were overcome by a wave of horror at the news.

Example

The scandal set off a wave of anger among local residents.

Example

She felt a wave of tiredness sweep over her.

Synonyms and related words
4

a movement of your hand used for saying hello or goodbye to someone or for giving a signal

Example

Jack walked away with a wave.

Synonyms and related words
4.1

the action of moving an object in the air, especially in order to give a signal

Example

With a wave of the flag, the cars raced away.

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4.2

a Mexican wave

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5

the way in which sound, light, a radio signal etc travels. It is represented by a line that curves upwards and then downwards again many times.

5.1

a shape that has a series of curves, or a single one of these curves

Synonyms and related words
Definition wave in British English