noun
raging waves; stormy seas
Literary word for violent, whale-like waves. Often used in classical or poetic contexts.
船は鯨波にのまれた。
The ship was swallowed by the raging waves.
noun
Archaic term for a loud shout raised in battle, likened to the roar of a whale. Rare in modern Japanese.
武士たちは鯨波をあげて突撃した。
The warriors charged with a battle cry.
Compound of 鯨 (whale) and 波 (wave), originally referring to waves as large as whales. The 'battle cry' sense is a metaphorical extension, comparing the roar of warriors to the sound of a whale.