Which word describes the distance over which the wind is blowing to create waves?

The term that describes the distance over which the wind blows to generate waves is referred to as "fetch." Fetch is a crucial concept in wave formation because it indicates how much wind energy can be transferred to the water surface. A longer fetch allows the wind to create larger and more powerful waves, as the continuous wind action over a greater distance builds up the energy in the water.

In contrast, duration refers to how long the wind blows at a steady speed, swell is the long, rolling waves that have traveled away from their point of origin, and velocity describes the speed of the wind itself. However, it is the fetch that directly relates to the distance the wind travels across the water, making it the correct term in this context.