heat wave

noun

Definition of heat wavenext
as in dog days

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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.
Recent Examples of heat wave Residents probably have another big charge coming, as many have not yet received their September bills reflecting the state’s highest electricity use in four years, and there was another major heat wave earlier this month. — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Conditions inside Pennsylvania’s prisons have been described as a sauna during a summer heat wave and bitterly cold in the winter, especially when heating systems have malfunctioned. — Jaquelyn Jahn, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 One week ago, a heat wave of record-proportions was bearing down on California. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 There's light at the end of the tunnel for Southern California's atypical October heat wave as temperatures will begin to drop — albeit slowly — on Wednesday and into the rest of the work week. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heat wave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heat wave
heat
Noun
  • The system combines molten salt reactors with thermal energy storage, allowing excess heat to be stored when electricity demand is low and used to generate additional power when demand increases.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Unusual weather conditions played a role, officials said, with the number of extreme heat warning days tripling from five in 2025 to 15 so far this year.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of heat

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heat-treats
heat wave
heave
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Cite this Entry

“Heat wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heat%20wave. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heat wave

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heat wave

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