heat wave

noun

: 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.
The marine heat wave was just the final death blow. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025 Nearly all of Florida’s Acropora coral colonies are now dead, a dramatic downfall linked to a record-breaking ocean heat wave in 2023. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 But an unprecedented marine heat wave may have delivered a fatal blow. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025 Divers documented coral mortality at nearly 400 sites after the 2023 marine heat wave. Evan Bush, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025 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 26 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

heat wave

noun
: a period of unusually hot weather

More from Merriam-Webster on heat wave

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