cold wave

Definition of cold wave

1 : an unusually large and rapid drop in temperature over a short period of time (such as 24 hours)

2 : a permanent wave set by a chemical preparation without the use of heat

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Examples of cold wave in a Sentence

the unseasonable cold wave in the Northeast has already put a strain on oil supplies

Recent Examples on the Web All South Koreans could do was watch, heartbroken, the desperate videos from students sending last messages to their families as cold waves filled the ship. — Choe Sang-hun, New York Times, "An Overloaded Ferry Flipped and Drowned Hundreds of Schoolchildren. Could It Happen Again?," 10 June 2019 Another great cold wave occurred in 1912, over a six-week stretch from Jan. 5 to Feb. 15. — Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, "Historical photos of unparalleled polar vortex outbreaks in D.C.," 4 Jan. 2018 While our recent cold wave may rival some from the past, the true benchmark for cold in Washington occurred Feb. 11, 1899, when the mercury dipped to minus-15 degrees. — Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, "Historical photos of unparalleled polar vortex outbreaks in D.C.," 4 Jan. 2018 In fact, between talking about haircuts and cold waves — a technique being taught to perm hair that uses a cold chemical wash over rollers — many took the opportunity to share their more-pressing concerns with us. — refinery29.com, "Makeup in Lockup: Beauty, Power, & Danger in Women's Prisons," 2 June 2018 In addition to the aforementioned coldest final week plus first week of a year since 1918, here are some other key local tidbits about the longevity of this cold wave: D.C.’s run of 12 days at or below 35 degrees is the sixth-longest on record. — Ian Livingston, Washington Post, "The cold snap the D.C. area just went through was one for the ages," 9 Jan. 2018 But the unexpected cold wave didn't stop the push for open housing in Milwaukee. — Chris Foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Open housing marchers battled the same arctic blast that chilled the Packers' Ice Bowl," 2 Jan. 2018 The effect of one in this drink is substantial, a stealthy allium depth charge that lends a vaguely roasty, vegetal note and that rides atop the gin’s natural botanicals for a crystal-cold wave of savory flavors. — Craig Laban, Philly.com, "This Gibson offers a sip of elegance, craftsmanship, and history," 31 Jan. 2018 But ice accumulations from a nationwide cold wave that meteorologists have named Winter Storm Inga prompted organizers to delay the official opening. — Scott Huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, "Confluence Park opening postponed," 16 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cold wave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Cold wave.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20wave. Accessed 18 January 2020.

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