Full-wave refers to a type of rectification in electrical engineering where both halves of an alternating current (AC) waveform are utilized. This process converts the entire AC signal into a direct current (DC) signal, allowing for more efficient power usage. Full-wave rectifiers can be implemented using either a center-tapped transformer or a bridge configuration of diodes. In a full-wave rectifier, the output voltage is smoother and has a higher average value compared to half-wave rectification, which only uses one half of the AC cycle. This results in improved performance for applications such as power supplies and signal processing, making full-wave rectification a common choice in electronic circuits.