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

Example Sentences

During a heat wave three years ago, friends brought electric fans and bags of ice to cool his library.

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Gas plants sometimes have to run on oil during heat waves or frigid weather, but this is expensive and can violate state emissions standards.

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

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Severe heat waves no longer forced office managers to send everyone home for their safety.

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Unlike dodging heat waves, crowds or airfare spikes, this is a structural shift.

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