(DoD) The average height of the third of waves observed during a given period of time. Significant wave height is used for evaluating the impact of waves and breakers on watercraft in the open sea and surf zones. See also surf zone.
Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 31 January 2011.
| APA | Military Dictionary (DoD). (2011). significant wave height. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/significant_wave_height/definitions/1963984 |
| Chicago | Military Dictionary (DoD). 2011. "significant wave height" http://smartdefine.org/significant_wave_height/definitions/1963984 (accessed September 21, 2026). |
| Harvard | Military Dictionary (DoD) 2011, significant wave height, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/significant_wave_height/definitions/1963984>. |
| MLA | Military Dictionary (DoD). "significant wave height" 4 April 2011. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/significant_wave_height/definitions/1963984> |