temperature

noun

tem·​per·​a·​ture ˈtem-pər-ˌchu̇r 

ˈtem-pə-,

-p(ə-)rə-,

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r 

1

a

: degree of hotness or coldness measured on a definite scale

b

: the degree of heat that is natural to the body of a living being

c

: abnormally high body heat

running a temperature

2

a

: relative state of emotional warmth

scandals raised the political temperature

b

: mood

testing the temperature of voters

3

archaic

a

: complexion sense 1

b

: temperament sense 1a

Examples of temperature in a Sentence

Water boils at a temperature of 212°F.

The samples are kept at a constant temperature.

The weatherman predicted unusually low temperatures for the area.

the normal body temperature of 98.6°F

Recent Examples on the Web

Denver tied its record high temperature of 97 degrees on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. —Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 12 June 2024

What makes this forecast different than normal, Melo explained, is that it’s been so cold in recent days that the temperatures on the ground will cause the falling water to freeze quickly. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024

To lower your risk of salmonella infection, the CDC recommends washing your hands and utensils well, separating raw meat from other foods, cooking foods to a safe temperature, and storing foods at the proper cold temperature. —Korin Miller, Health, 12 June 2024

Padgett said there will also be snow on Thursday and Friday, plus cold temperatures during the weekend. —Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin temperātūra "mixture of substances in proper proportion, adjustment between extremes, mean," from temperātus, past participle of temperāre "to moderate, bring to a proper strength or consistency by mixing, maintain in a state of balance" + -ūra -ure — more at temper entry 2

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing temperature

• body temperature
• color temperature
• raise/lower the temperature
• room temperature
• run a temperature
• take someone's temperature
• temperature inversion

Kids Definition

temperature

noun

tem·​per·​a·​ture ˈtem-pə(r)-ˌchu̇r  ˈtem-p(ə-)rə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər

1

: the degree of hotness or coldness of something (as air, water, or the body) as shown by a thermometer

2

: fever sense 1a

have a temperature

Medical Definition

temperature

noun

tem·​per·​a·​ture ˈtem-pə(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r  -p(ə-)rə- 

-chər,

-ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r

1

: degree of hotness or coldness measured on a definite scale see thermometer

2

a

: the degree of heat that is natural to a living body

a normal oral temperature of about 98.6°F

b

: a condition of abnormally high body heat

was running a temperature