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heat wave

noun

Synonyms of heat wavenext
: a period of unusually hot weather

Examples of heat wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Just two years ago, the Millstone agreement was widely blamed for a sudden spike in electricity rates amid a summer heat wave. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026 The South is enduring a long heat wave as a heat dome sits over the region. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 These are benchmarks, so individual days, especially during heat waves, can be considerably hotter. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026 While Dante Rowley and his fiancée were out of town during one of the most brutal heat waves of the year, a man broke into their San Diego home through an open upstairs window. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for heat wave

See All Rhymes for heat wave

Browse Nearby Words

heat up
heat wave
heaume
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Cite this Entry

“Heat wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20wave. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

heat wave

noun
: a period of unusually hot weather

More from Merriam-Webster on heat wave

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for heat wave

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heat wave

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