Meanings
nounhuman wave (plural human waves)
plural human waves
- informalgovernmentA frontal assault by unprotected densely concentrated infantry against the enemy line.
human wave tactics
2 more examples
human wave assault
The generals relied on costly human waves to make tiny conquests that they could sell to politicians and the population.
Cite this entry
APA
human wave. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/human%20wave
MLA
“human wave.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/human%20wave. Accessed November 2, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “human wave,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/human%20wave.
Source: human wave on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.