(Definition of âhowdyâ from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary Â© Cambridge University Press)
A wave is an up and down movement of water. When we talk about waves, we use special words to name their parts. The highest point of a wave is called the crest. The lowest point is called the trough. Wave height is the vertical distance between the crest and trough. Wavelength is the horizontal distance between waves in a series. Wavelength can be measured between two wave crests. It can be measured between two wave troughs.
Sea state describes the combination of sea (wind) waves and swell. Wave height (trough to crest) for both sea and swell refers to 'significant wave height' which represents the average height of the highest one-third of the waves. Some waves will be higher and some lower than the significant wave height. The probable maximum wave height can be up to twice the significant wave height.