heat wave

American  

[heet weyv] / ˈhit ˌweɪv /

Or heatwave

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.

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heat wave British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of heat wave

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Officials with multiple international groups this week stressed that global cooperation is key as warmer global temperatures worsen the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heat waves, wildfires and floods.

From Los Angeles Times

Consumers are furious about the rate increases, there’s a mounting risk of blackouts during heat waves or deep freezes—and the fixes are nearly impossible to implement quickly.

From The Wall Street Journal

A study published in Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology found that prolonged heat waves can disrupt hive temperature control and lead to noticeable declines in colony populations.

From Science Daily

Don’t forget Canada’s zombie wildfires, the Texas floods, the late autumn Southwest heat waves, the calving Doomsday glacier and on and on.

From Salon

Iran, a largely arid country, has for years suffered chronic dry spells and heat waves, which are expected to worsen with climate change.

From Barron's

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