In physics, the height of a wave is typically called the amplitude.

Here's why:

* Amplitude: This refers to the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position. For a wave on the surface of water, the amplitude is half the vertical distance between the crest (highest point) and the trough (lowest point).

While "wave height" is a common term used in everyday language, in physics, we tend to use the more precise term "amplitude" to describe the vertical displacement of a wave.