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wave 1. An undulation on the surface of a fluid (liquids, gases, or even "solid" fluids like sand). A wind wave is generated by the interaction of wind and the liquid water surface. Waves in clouds are caused by wind interacting with gaseous water vapor or ice crystals. Swells are waves that have been separated from the wind that originally created them. See also storm surge, tidal surge, tidal wave, tsunami. Wave motion and wave statistics are discussed in RES-2 on sea state. See also wavelength, wave period, wave direction, wave height, wave speed. See also sea and G112 for an illustration of wave terminology. 2. "Wave" is also used to describe a moving weak trough of low pressure, which corresponds to a wave in the pressure distribution or isobars. 3. A frontal system consisting of both warm and cold fronts is also referred to as a wave or frontal wave or wave cyclone.

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