(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.
Quick Answer. The distance between wave crests is called wavelength. It is a characteristic shared by waves of all kinds, including ocean waves and sound waves. Wavelength is measured from the highest point, or summit, of one wave's crest to the summit of the next wave's crest. Continue Reading.