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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of heat wave

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

On Friday, the heat wave is poised to tie or even break several single-day temperature records in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Some are even putting up their own mini weather stations to help them track hyperlocal trends to protect themselves from flooding and heat waves.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wait times have lengthened as power officials study whether there is enough power to support them while keeping the lights on for other customers, especially during heat waves and cold snaps when electricity demand surges.

From The Wall Street Journal

A midwinter heat wave has descended on much of the state and is expected to spike temperatures as much as 20 degrees above normal in the coming week.

From Los Angeles Times

That keeps pace with an increase in calls to help turtles after 2016, the year of a marine heat wave, dubbed “The Blob,” according to Flocken.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dog days