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.
The results showcase the effects of an unprecedented drought and multiple brutal heat waves on the river. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026 Coastal areas typically are spared the worst of heat waves, thanks to the cool marine layer and ocean. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Summer heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense around the country as a result of climate change, largely caused by the burning of fossil fuels. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026 Research shows that extreme weather events, including heat waves, rains and melting glaciers, have become more frequent. — Matteo Moschella, NBC news, 26 Aug. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heat wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20wave. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All