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.
Now add San Diego at the peak of a record-breaking heat wave, when demand shot past 5,000 megawatts and the grid nearly buckled. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025 The researchers say their findings can now inform strategies to mitigate river heat waves, a phenomenon that, until now, has been relatively poorly studied and reported. New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025 Picnic tables are in place to slurp down those deeply satisfying bowls—even during a Houston heat wave. Bao Ong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025 The last two years have witnessed the hottest one in history, some of the worst wildfire seasons across Canada, Europe and South America and deadly flooding and heat waves throughout the globe. ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Heat wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20wave. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

heat wave

noun
: a period of unusually hot weather

More from Merriam-Webster on heat wave

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