Following former President Donald Trump’s re-election and Republicans securing the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, GOP candidates are making significant gains, leaving only the U.S. House of Representatives uncertain for Democrats.

If Republicans take control of the House, it would signal a “red wave,” indicating that the party would hold a majority throughout the federal government.

The Associated Press reports that the House remains undecided with numerous races still uncalled; Republicans currently hold over 200 seats as of Wednesday evening.

In the Senate, Republicans occupy 52 seats in comparison to the Democrats’ 44 as of Wednesday evening, although Democrats currently control the chamber with 51 seats to Republicans’ 49, as reported by the AP.

With shifts in momentum, here’s a breakdown of the term “red wave.”

What does “red wave” mean?

The term “red wave” refers to a scenario where Republicans dominate elections, gaining or maintaining power across government, enabling them to pass policies more easily and counter opposing views.

According to Ballotpedia, “wave elections” denote the 20% of elections where the president’s party experiences the most significant losses in seats over the past century, across 50 election cycles.

Ballotpedia states, “While there’s no universally accepted definition of wave elections within political science, various experts and journalists have attempted to characterize the concept, particularly concerning the House of Representatives. Often, political scientists designate a specific seat gain as necessary for an election to be classified as a wave.”

In opposition to a red wave, a “blue wave” occurs when Democrats gain the presidency, the House, and the Senate. The last instance of a blue wave was in 2008 with Barack Obama’s presidential victory over the late Republican Sen. John McCain.

What would a red wave in 2024 signify?

With Trump’s presidency solidified and the potential for a red wave emerging, Republicans could advance policies crucial to their agenda, such as enforcing strict immigration laws, enhancing border security, imposing significant tariffs on imports, and implementing conservative educational reforms.

“Is this unbelievable or what?” Trump asked enthusiastic supporters at the Palm Beach County Convention Center Wednesday morning.

He termed his supporters “the greatest political movement of all time” and asserted that his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris and various Republican wins in Congress provided “an unparalleled and strong mandate.”