wave crest

USAGE SUMMARY

"wave crest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the highest point of a wave, or to the peak of an emotional sentiment. For example, "Before the wave crest, the lake was calm."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The distance from one wave crest to the next is known as the wavelength.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The bow soared up over the wave crest, then plunged down so hard that it knifed below the surface.

The New Yorker

Q. Recently, at the San Diego ocean beach at night, we watched light emanating from every wave crest.

The New York Times - Science

That is, the breaking point will move along the wave crest at a rate that will allow the surfer to maintain a position just ahead of it.

The Guardian - Sport

The Mark V can move at 47 knots, and in high seas it can leap from wave crest to crest, the chief warrant officer said.

The New York Times

As wave height increases, the sharpening of the wave crest may result in instability and a breaking off of the crest, a process hastened by the wind.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Then, just as quickly, the wave crested.

The New York Times

The frothy wave crests anticipate the meringuelike whites of Sargent's later portraits.

The New York Times - Arts

The wave crested there, while the girlfriend's roommate was traveling in Greece.

The New York Times

This causes the wave crests to bend (refract), focusing the wave energy and creating a large peak that breaks in a very regular and controlled fashion.

The Guardian - Sport

The ship is taken to be supported by wave crests located at its bow or stern or by a single crest at its mid-length.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wave crest" metaphorically to describe the peak of something non-physical, such as an event or trend. For example: "The wave crest of the technological revolution brought about unprecedented changes."

Common error

Avoid using "wave crest" interchangeably with general terms like "wave" or "swell". "Wave crest" specifically refers to the highest point, not the entire wave body. Ensure the context accurately reflects this specific meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave crest" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. For instance, it describes the highest point of a wave or can be used metaphorically.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wave crest" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the highest point of a wave, literally or metaphorically. Ludwig AI validates its usage across diverse contexts, primarily in science, news, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives such as "peak of the wave" or "top of the wave" exist, "wave crest" remains a clear and precise choice, especially in technical or descriptive writing. When using the phrase, remember to consider the context to avoid misinterpretations. The varied examples in Ludwig demonstrate its versatility and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crest of a wave

This alternative inverts the original phrase but maintains the same meaning.

peak of the wave

Replaces "crest" with "peak", a synonym denoting the highest point.

top of the wave

Substitutes "crest" with "top", indicating the uppermost part.

wave's apex

Uses "apex" instead of "crest", implying the highest point or peak.

wave summit

Replaces "crest" with "summit", suggesting the highest point reached.

highest point of the wave

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the highest point.

brink of the wave

Uses "brink" to indicate the edge or top of the wave.

wave's high point

Replaces "crest" with "high point", a more general term.

wave's acme

Uses "acme" as a more formal synonym for "crest".

the wave's climax

Employs "climax" to denote the culmination or peak of the wave.

FAQs

How is "wave crest" used in a sentence?

You can use "wave crest" to describe the highest point of a wave, as in, "The surfer rode the towering "wave crest"." It can also be used metaphorically to describe a peak in a trend or event.

What is another way to say "wave crest"?

Alternatives include "peak of the wave", "top of the wave", or "wave's apex", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "crest of wave" instead of "wave crest"?

While "crest of wave" is grammatically understandable, ""wave crest"" is the more common and natural phrasing in contemporary English.

What's the difference between "wave crest" and "wave height"?

"Wave crest" refers to the highest point of a wave, while "wave height" is the vertical distance between the trough (lowest point) and the crest (highest point) of the wave. Thus, they describe different aspects of a wave's dimensions.