Weather / B1

HEETW-ayv/ˈhiːtweɪv/

A heatwave is a period of unusually hot weather (countable). Heat is the wider uncountable noun. Heatwave is one word in most UK news style. Do not call a warm afternoon a heatwave. Met Office warnings: heatwaves strain A&E.

Meaning

A period of unusually hot weather.

Examples

• “The Met Office warned that the heatwave would strain A&E.”
• “A second heatwave in August closed some outdoor exams.”

Good to know

a heatwave (countable; often one word). Wider: heat. Not a pleasant sunny day. UK: Met Office / NHS summer pressure.

Topics

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