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

That research is the latest step in the growing field of climate change attribution science, which connects day-to-day events like heat waves, floods, and superstorms to human-caused warming.

From Popular-Science

From coastal towns and riverfront communities, to urban centers and suburban neighborhoods, the frequency and severity of storms, heat waves, droughts and wildfires is increasing.

From Washington Blade

The city wants compensation for the related injuries, such as higher sea levels and the damage caused by more dramatic storms, floods, droughts and heat waves.

From Washington Post

Already, the region has warmed at roughly twice the rate as the rest of the world and is experiencing an increased frequency of wildfires, heat waves and disappearing glaciers.

From Ozy

It’s a problem that will only grow worse as climate change progresses, bringing swifter and harder rainfall and more unpredictable heat waves and drought.

From Voice of San Diego

EnerNOC in turn pays users—which it calls “assets”—to curtail power usage during peak-demand events such as a heat wave.

From The Daily Beast

If you thought this recent heat wave has been bad, try braving 1,800-degree temperatures with 4,350-mile-per-hour winds.

From The Daily Beast

This summer's punishing heat wave could wreak havoc on grocery bills.

From The Daily Beast

A study published in 2005 showed just that kind of loading for the European heat wave of 2003.

From The Daily Beast

As a “giant heat wave” moved east across the nation, heat records that dated back to the Dust Bowl fell with uncanny speed.

From The Daily Beast

The heat-wave had put forward the almanac, and the Newport season was in full swing nearly a month in advance of its usual date.

From Project Gutenberg

The next day the first intense heat wave of summer swept over Tunkett.

From Project Gutenberg

In the case of a sustained heat-wave, this would take place at some time during each night.

From Project Gutenberg

Here we were in the middle of a heat wave, the thermometer nudging ninety, and the old guy's wrist is like an icicle!

From Project Gutenberg

We were in a furnace—a heat-wave in which we were like to drown.

From Project Gutenberg

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