heat wave

Or heat·wave

[heet weyv]

noun

Meteorology, Climatology.

1. a period of abnormally hot and usually humid weather; heat event.

   I moved to the coast up north because summer back home has become one long, unbearable heat wave.

2. an air mass of high temperature covering an extended area and moving relatively slowly.

   Another heat wave is expected to form across the South and into the Northeast by week’s end.

heat wave

noun

1. a continuous spell of abnormally hot weather

2. (not in technical use) an extensive slow-moving air mass at a relatively high temperature

Word History and Origins

Origin of heat wave¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Related Words

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