cold wave

noun

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

Synonyms of cold wave

• cold
• freeze

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

Travelers and residents should stay informed about forecast changes, particularly as storm tracks and cold wave durations remain uncertain. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025

The pattern of cold waves over Dec. 5 and 6 and those expected beyond that are forecast to drop temperatures well below the normal average, said Paul Pastelok, a long-range meteorologist for AccuWeather. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

A lot of existing NewSeed crops wilted in a heat wave or got frosted in a cold wave or got drowned in a wave wave. —Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025

These consisted of 17 severe storms (tornado outbreaks, high wind, hailstorms), 5 tropical cyclones, and 2 winter storm-cold waves, a wildfire and 1 drought/heatwave. —Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cold wave

• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• shortwave
• aftershave