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
He has already seen a surge in patients complaining of respiratory tract illnesses - “particularly worrying because we have not yet seen our first cold wave of the winter season”.
From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2024
No fatalities from the latest cold wave have been reported.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 20, 2024
The team observed that the internal circulation along the East Coast within the East Sea was influenced by the Arctic cold wave.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 5, 2024
I remembered old footage of the ill-fated Hindenburg docking to the top of what looked like a radio tower—a structure not so different from this—and felt a cold wave of dread pass through me.
From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs
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