Phrase guide

bow wave

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The wave that forms at the bow of a ship as it moves through the water, and defines the outer limits of the ship's wake.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 头波 — a wave coming off the bow of a ship as it moves through the water
  • Chinese Mandarin: 弓形波 — a wave coming off the bow of a ship as it moves through the water
  • Danish: bovbølge — a wave coming off the bow of a ship as it moves through the water
  • Dutch: boeggolf — a wave coming off the bow of a ship as it moves through the water
  • German: Bugwelle — a wave coming off the bow of a ship as it moves through the water
  • Māori: piha — a wave coming off the bow of a ship as it moves through the water
  • Māori: pihapiha — a wave coming off the bow of a ship as it moves through the water