heat wave

See also: heatwave

English

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Pronunciation

Noun

heat wave (plural heat waves)

  1. (idiomatic) A period of exceptionally hot weather.
    Antonyms: cold spell, cold wave
    • 1933, Irving Berlin, “Heat Wave”, in As Thousands Cheer:
      We're havin a heat wave / A tropical heat wave / The temperatures rising, it isn't surprising / She certainly can, can can! / She started a heat wave / By letting her seat wave, / in such a way that the customers say / that she certainly can, can-can!
    1. (US, weather broadcasting) Three consecutive days with daytime high temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
    2. (UK, weather broadcasting) A period of at least three consecutive days with daily high temperatures of the respective county's temperature threshold or higher.
  2. An electromagnetic wave in the infrared spectrum.

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