1  to walk through water

[no object]

• We waded into the ocean.
• I jumped off the boat and waded back to shore.
• They took off their sandals and waded at the edge of the pond.

[+ object]

• They waded the river. [=they crossed the river by walking through the water]

2 a : to move or proceed with difficulty

[no object]

• Police waded into the crowd.
• We waded through the crowded bus station.
• It took several weeks to wade through all the evidence.

[+ object]

• We waded our way through the crowd.

2 b [no object] : to become involved in a discussion, situation, activity, etc., in a forceful, direct, or careless way — usually + in or into

• Most politicians would have tried to avoid the subject, but he waded right in.
• She waded right into their argument.