heat wave

noun

: a period of unusually hot weather

Examples of heat wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Climate Change Extreme weather events, such as heat waves, are placing additional stress on home systems – even as homeowners try to keep their homes cool while lowering cooling costs. Terri Williams, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 An Arizona man says police held him down on scorching asphalt while arresting him during the height of Phoenix's summer heat wave, causing third-degree burns on his body. Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024 This has spread coral bleaching to even more areas, including a current, expanding marine heat wave in the eastern Caribbean and western North Atlantic Ocean. Andrew Freedman, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024 The move might be due to El Niño events and heat waves that have warmed waters and killed off fish that sea lions prey upon, Sharon Melin, the lead sea lion biologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told Jack. Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for heat wave 

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heat wave was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near heat wave

Cite this Entry

“Heat wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20wave. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

heat wave

noun
: a period of unusually hot weather

More from Merriam-Webster on heat wave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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