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.
While the weather forecast does not project any kind of heat wave this week, temperatures on the surface of the Open’s acrylic-on-asphalt hard courts can approach 120 degrees after hours of direct sunlight. — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026 Designed as a water-free alternative to costly water-spraying setups, this technology mitigates high track temperatures caused by extreme heat waves, reducing deformation risks and speed delays. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 For the second day in a row, an ozone alert has been issued for the Kansas City area as a late-summer heat wave continues to raise concerns about unhealthy air, according to the Mid-America Regional Council. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Cut to this September, and Hollywood brows are less sweaty, recent Los Angeles heat wave notwithstanding. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 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

Rhymes for heat wave

See All Rhymes for heat wave

Browse Nearby Words

heat up
heat wave
heaume
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Cite this Entry

“Heat wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20wave. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

heat wave

noun
: a period of unusually hot weather

More from Merriam-Webster on heat wave

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for heat wave

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heat wave

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