heat wave — a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity
Pronunciation (IPA): /hiːt weɪv/
Example Sentences
- During the heat wave, ice cream vendors became millionaires overnight.
- The meteorologist issued a heat wave alert for the entire region.
- My phone shut down automatically during the heat wave - even technology needed a break!
heat wave
NOUN[/hiːt weɪv/]
a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity
A brutal heat wave melts the city as people seek any shade they can find.
Escape the heat wave: from streetrave to neat cave!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This compound term emerged in the late 19th century as a meteorological expression combining 'heat' and 'wave' to describe the phenomenon of intense heat sweeping over a region like a wave of hot water. The metaphorical pairing vividly captures the sudden onset and undulating nature of extreme temperature periods.
Breakdown
heat (thermal energy) + wave (undulating surge or period) = a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather sweeping across a region.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“During the heat wave, ice cream vendors became millionaires overnight.”
“The meteorologist issued a heat wave alert for the entire region.”
“My phone shut down automatically during the heat wave - even technology needed a break!”
“Authorities opened cooling centers to help residents cope with the heat wave.”
📚Related Words
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