Skip to main content
heatwave

heatwave

3 3.0
A long period of very hot weather that can harm people and crops
  • noun
  • /ˈhiːtweɪv/
translation icon : ola de calor
  • Many people struggle to stay cool during a heatwave and often seek refuge in air-conditioned spaces.

Examples

  • In the MacDonald novel, Travis McGee was sweltering down there in Fort Lauderdale, where they were having a heatwave so intense it even took the bounce out of the beach bunnies.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The recent heatwave presented new problems, with the temperature soaring so high that the egg yolks cooked.

    Blog text (32)
  • In July 2011, a heatwave broke all records in Texas.

    Blog text (7)
  • There was an incredible heatwave and drought that destroyed massive amounts of crops.

    Blog text (15)
  • California has now broken it's all-time record for the longest heatwave.

  • But truthfully, last week's heatwave had me holed up on the second floor of my house, where we have AC.

    Blog text (27)
  • Ahhhhhh, but they happily draw conclusions (speculations) about the recent US heatwave (lasting several weeks) and link it to global warming.

    Blog text (31)
  • From sweltering heatwaves and droughts, which are shattering temperature records, to torrential rains and floodings.

  • The global hydrological cycle is likely to become more vigorous, with the prospect of intensified climatic extremes such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The city's emergency services are preparing for the expected heatwave this weekend, urging residents to stay hydrated.

Synonyms

heat wave
vsheatwave
30 3.2

A period of very hot weather that lasts several days

is the same meaning but written as one word
hot spell
vsheatwave
1 3.5

A period of several days with much hotter weather than usual

focuses on danger and discomfort rather than just duration

Antonyms

6 3.2

A short sudden time of very cold weather that is colder than usual

How Extreme

heatwave
3 3.0
heat wave
30 3.2
hot spell
1 3.5

Surface Forms

heatwave singular
heatwaves plural

Morphology

heatwave = heat + wave (transparent) = heat + wave

The meaning 'a wave of heat' (a period of unusually hot weather) is directly inferable from 'heat' + 'wave' using common English metaphorical extension.

Etymology

Heatwave joins heat ('high temperature') and wave ('a moving rush', like a 'wave' of people), so it imagines a 'wave' of very hot weather rolling in and staying for days, which is why a heatwave is a long period of unusually hot weather.