heatwave

See also: heat wave

English

Etymology

Etymology tree

English heat

English wave

English heatwave

From heat + wave.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhitˌweɪv/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Noun

heatwave (plural heatwaves)

1. Alternative spelling of heat wave (“period of exceptionally hot weather”)

   Antonyms: cold spell, cold wave

   • 2023 July 7, “UN says climate change ‘out of control’ after likely hottest week on record”, in The Guardian‎^[1], →ISSN:

     Various parts of the world have been experiencing heatwaves and on Thursday the EU’s climate monitoring service said the world had experienced its hottest June on record last month. […] In parts of China, an enduring heatwave has continued, with temperatures reaching above 35C.

   • 2025 August 11, Ajit Niranjan, “Southern Europe swelters under deadly heatwave as temperatures pass 40C”, in The Guardian‎^[2], →ISSN:

     Both weather agencies forecast temperatures above 40C over the coming days and called for vigilance amid forecasts of “a very intense, even exceptional” heatwave in parts of the continent.

2. A heat haze.
   • 2021, Murray du Plessis, Modern Meditations: 101 Ways to Slow Down & Connect to Spirit:

     On a hot summer's day, one can literally see heatwaves shimmering off the surfaces of inanimate objects.