TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
CANICULE [2 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2025-04-14
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
- Astronomy
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- dog days
1, record 1, English, dog%20days
correct, plural
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- canicular days 2, record 1, English, canicular%20days
correct, plural
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The hottest period of the year during which the Dog Star rises and sets with the sun. 3, record 1, English, - dog%20days
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Different authors have assigned different dates for the dog days, although the period in question usually corresponds to the months of July and August according to most of them. 3, record 1, English, - dog%20days
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
- Astronomie
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- canicule
1, record 1, French, canicule
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Époque de grande chaleur annuelle [...] où l'étoile Sirius se lève et se couche avec le Soleil. 2, record 1, French, - canicule
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Bien que les dates précises varient selon les auteurs, la période en question correspond aux mois de juillet et d'août selon la majorité d'entre eux. 3, record 1, French, - canicule
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
canicule : Le terme «canicule» fait aussi référence plus couramment à une période de chaleur inhabituelle observée pendant plusieurs jours consécutifs au cours de l'été. 3, record 1, French, - canicule
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2025-04-14
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
- Climatology
- Climate Change
- General Medicine, Hygiene and Health
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- heat wave
1, record 2, English, heat%20wave
correct, noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- heatwave 2, record 2, English, heatwave
correct, noun
- extreme heat event 3, record 2, English, extreme%20heat%20event
correct, see observation, noun
- heat event 4, record 2, English, heat%20event
correct, see observation, noun
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A period of marked unusual hot weather ... over a region ... during the warm period of the year ... 5, record 2, English, - heat%20wave
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
The specific criteria used in defining a "heat wave" differ among countries or meteorological organizations. Nevertheless, definitions often refer to a period of at least three consecutive days where the daily maximum temperature reaches a certain threshold, such as 5°C above normal average temperatures. 6, record 2, English, - heat%20wave
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
heat wave: Not to be confused with a "warm spell," which is a weather event that can take place during any time of year. 6, record 2, English, - heat%20wave
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 3 OBS
extreme heat event; heat event: These terms are mainly used in the fields of public health and climatology, whereas the term "heat wave" is mainly used in meteorology. 6, record 2, English, - heat%20wave
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
- Climatologie
- Changements climatiques
- Médecine générale, hygiène et santé
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- canicule
1, record 2, French, canicule
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
- évènement de chaleur extrême 2, record 2, French, %C3%A9v%C3%A8nement%20de%20chaleur%20extr%C3%AAme
correct, see observation, masculine noun
- événement de chaleur extrême 3, record 2, French, %C3%A9v%C3%A9nement%20de%20chaleur%20extr%C3%AAme
correct, see observation, masculine noun
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Période de grande chaleur inhabituelle s'étendant sur une région pendant la saison chaude de l'année. 3, record 2, French, - canicule
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Les critères précis définissant la «canicule» varient selon les pays ou les organismes météorologiques. Il est toutefois souvent question d'une période d'au moins trois jours consécutifs où la température maximale quotidienne atteint un certain seuil, par exemple 5 °C au-dessus des températures moyennes normales. 3, record 2, French, - canicule
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
canicule : Ne pas confondre avec une «vague de chaleur», phénomène qui peut avoir lieu à n'importe quelle période de l'année. 3, record 2, French, - canicule
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 3 OBS
évènement de chaleur extrême; événement de chaleur extrême : Ces termes sont principalement employés dans le domaine de la santé publique et de la climatologie, alors que le terme «canicule» est davantage employé en météorologie. 3, record 2, French, - canicule
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
- Climatología
- Cambio climático
- Medicina, Higiene y Salud
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- ola de calor
1, record 2, Spanish, ola%20de%20calor
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Calentamiento importante del aire, o invasión de aire muy caliente, sobre una zona extensa [que] suele durar de unos días a unas semanas. 2, record 2, Spanish, - ola%20de%20calor
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
La ola de calor se manifiesta por una subida brusca de la temperatura, que alcanza valores anormalmente elevados. Puede deberse a la llegada de vientos ecuatoriales, pero, las más de las veces, es la consecuencia del estancamiento, en la región considerada, de un núcleo de bajas presiones. 3, record 2, Spanish, - ola%20de%20calor
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


