pulse wave noun2 •The wave of increased pressure started by the ventricular systole, radiating from the semilunar valves over the arterial system, and gradually disappearing in the smaller branches.H. N. Martin The pulse wave travels over the arterial system at the rate of about 29.5 feet in a second. •A kind of non-sinusoidal waveform that is similar to a square wave but lacks the perfectly symmetrical shape. formspulse waves