noun
waving
WAY-vihng
noun
1
The action of moving something, especially the hand or arm, back and forth as a greeting or signal.
"She caught his eye across the platform and gave a quick wave, waving until the train pulled away."
"The crowd greeted the runners with cheering and waving all along the route."
2
The gentle back-and-forth motion of something loose or flexible, like hair, flags, or grass in the wind.
"The waving of the wheat field made the whole hillside look like it was breathing."
"He noticed the waving of the curtains before he even felt the draft."
How to Use Waving
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoving something back and forth — usually a hand to say hello or goodbye, or something loose swaying in the wind.
Common pairings
waving goodbye
waving a flag
the waving of the trees
Word Forms
wavings plural
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She caught his eye across the platform and gave a quick wave, _____ until the train pulled away.