bow wave

[ bou ]
/ baʊ /

noun

the wave generated on either side of a vessel's bow by its forward movement through the water.
a type of shock wave formed in front of a body moving at supersonic speed.

Origin of bow wave

First recorded in 1875–80

Words nearby bow wave

bow street, bow street runner, bow thruster, bow tie, bow trolley, bow wave, bow weight, bow window, bow-iron, bow-wow, bowditch

Example sentences from the Web for bow wave

  • In front you see the bow-wave and behind the body a phenomenon k which closely resembles the eddies formed in the wake of a ship.

    Popular scientific lectures |Ernst Mach

  • No general attempt was made to disguise the bow, because the bow-wave was generally visible.

    Visual Illusions |Matthew Luckiesh

  • A moment later we heard the familiar rush of a destroyer's bow-wave, and the ringing of her telegraph as she checked.

    Gun running for Casement in the Easter rebellion, 1916 |Karl Spindler

  • The prone gunman slid out of the wide double door, pushing a bow-wave of detergent before him.

    The Ambulance Made Two Trips |William Fitzgerald Jenkins