breaker; breaking wave
Refers to a wave that is breaking or has broken, often near the shore. Used in nautical and coastal contexts.
The surfer was waiting for a big breaker.
Breaking waves were crashing against the rocky shore.
Standard kanji spelling for 'breaker' or 'breaking wave'.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; less common but still encountered.
Compound of 砕け (kudake, the continuative form of 砕ける 'to break') + 波 (nami, 'wave'). Literally 'breaking wave'.