ocean swell

Sea's slow heave

Ocean swell refers to long, rolling waves that travel across open water, generated by distant storms or sustained winds.

Unlike choppy surface waves, swells are smooth and regular, moving in consistent patterns that can travel thousands of miles: The boat rose and fell with the ocean swell.

Surfers prize large swells for the powerful waves they produce when they reach shore.

Related
  • waveOscillating motion through medium
  • surgeSudden powerful increase
  • storm surgeWind-driven coastal flooding
  • crestHighest point or tuft
  • troughOpen container for animal feed

roller · tide · open water · high seas · undulation · rise · heave · billow · groundswell · foam · salt spray · deep · deep blue · horizon · rhythm · pitch · roll · nautical

Categories
Opposites
wave type and behavior

ocean swellbreaking wave

breaker · surf · whitecap · shore break · chop

sea state and surface condition

ocean swelldead calm

Complete absence of wind

still water · calm seas · mill pond · flat water · millpond

wave origin and generation

ocean swellripples

Small surface undulations

Family

ocean, swell, oceans, oceanic, swells, swelled, swelling, swollen

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G