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.
In the West, an unprecedented March heat wave made worse by planet-warming pollution also further depleted the dismal snowpack from a winter filled with more blue skies than snowflakes. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026 By Todd Woody | Bloomberg The US is in the midst of a battery boom critical to keeping the lights on amid heat waves, winter storms and surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026 In the West, an unprecedented March heat wave made worse by planet-warming pollution also further depleted the dismal snowpack from a winter filled with more blue skies than snowflakes. Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026 Will California see more heat waves this year? Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heat wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20wave. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

heat wave

noun
: a period of unusually hot weather

More from Merriam-Webster on heat wave

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster