cold wave
Americannoun
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Meteorology. a rapid and considerable drop in temperature, usually affecting a large area.
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a permanent wave in the hair set by special chemical solutions without the aid of any heating device.
noun
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meteorol a sudden spell of low temperatures over a wide area, often following the passage of a cold front
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hairdressing a permanent wave made by chemical agents applied at normal temperatures
Etymology
Origin of cold wave
First recorded in 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Parts of Asia, including northwest China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan are set to be hit by a cold wave, which threatens to push demand for heating higher,” analysts at ANZ Research say.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026
The cold wave has also been causing health issues, especially in Delhi, which also sees severe pollution levels during winter months.
From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2024
The most recent major wave-4 iteration brought a February 2021 cold wave to much of Canada, the United States and even northern Mexico.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 4, 2023
He said time will tell whether what is happening this week is indeed a heat wave as it is likely to be interrupted with the arrival of a cold wave in a few days.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 24, 2023
It’s Carol who points out that this is a cold wave.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
