In fluid dynamics,
wind waves or, more precisely, wind-generated waves are surface waves that occur on the free surface of oceans,
seas,
lakes, rivers, and canals
or even on small puddles and ponds.
They usually result from the wind blowing over a vast
enough stretch of fluid surface. Waves in the oceans can travel thousands of
miles before reaching land. Wind waves range in size from small ripples to huge waves over 30 m high.