fever

noun

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fe·ver | \ ˈfē-vər

Definition of fever

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a rise of body temperature above the normal

b : any of various diseases of which fever is a prominent symptom

2a : a state of heightened or intense emotion or activity

b : a contagious usually transient enthusiasm : craze

fever

verb

fevered; fevering\ ˈfē-vriŋ

, ˈfe-vər-iŋ \

Definition of fever (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to throw into a fever : agitate

intransitive verb

: to contract or be in a fever : become feverish

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about fever

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Examples of fever in a Sentence

Noun The symptoms of the disease include headache and fever. We waited in a fever of anticipation. He had us all in a fever with worry.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The King County teen is recovering after being hospitalized last month with fever, cough and shortness of breath. — Paige Cornwell, The Seattle Times, "Washington health officials declare statewide outbreak in vaping-related illness," 17 Sep. 2019 Hours earlier, the child’s mother had taken her toddler to a naturopathic medical clinic with a spiking fever. — John D'anna, Arizona Republic, "A judge ruled The Republic had violated a court order in a controversial DCS case. Now, he has reversed that ruling," 12 Sep. 2019 The flu generally starts with a fever and muscle aches, cough and sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and weariness. — Stephen Means, cleveland.com, "ESPN ranks the 150 best teams in college football history: Buckeye Breakfast," 11 Sep. 2019 Symptoms of measles begin with a fever, red and watery eyes, cough and runny nose, the press release states. — Chelsea Curtis, azcentral, "Measles exposure suspected from participant at Phoenix hip-hop event, health officials say," 23 Aug. 2019 Lares, 51, was dehydrated and fell ill with a fever that would keep him out of work for four unpaid days. — Kaiser Health News, oregonlive.com, "Rules lag in keeping workers safe from heat-related illness, death," 21 July 2019 That changed after Woods rushed Deja to Children's of Alabama with a fever that spiked at 105 degrees. — al.com, "‘Her strength was amazing’: After daughter’s death, Alabama mother continues her legacy through charity," 18 July 2019 Lares, 51, was dehydrated and fell ill with a fever that would keep him out of work for four unpaid days. — Anna Maria Barry-jester, USA TODAY, "As temperatures climb, there's a new federal push to keep workers safe," 15 July 2019 On May 31, 2017, 58-year-old Tamela Wilson checked into Barnes-Jewish Hospital, in St. Louis, with a fever, fatigue, and a strange red rash. — Megan Molteni, WIRED, "The Meat-Allergy Tick Also Carries a Mystery Killer Virus," 8 July 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb For the final quarter of their set, the band’s fevered, crunchy improvisations bred a full-on dance party, with fans of all ages getting in on the fun. — Natalie Weiner, Billboard, "Herbie Hancock & Cecile McLorin Salvant Among 9 Best Moments at 2019 Newport Jazz Festival," 5 Aug. 2019 Proponents also argue that there is little evidence that fever itself, even a high fever, is harmful. — Richard Klasco, New York Times, "If Fever Helps Fight Infection, Should I Avoid Fever-Reducing Drugs?," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fever.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near fever

Statistics for fever

Last Updated

4 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for fever

The first known use of fever was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for fever

fever

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fever

: a body temperature that is higher than normal

: a disease that causes an increase in body temperature

: a state of excited emotion or activity

See the full definition for fever in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fever

noun

fe·ver | \ ˈfē-vər

Kids Definition of fever

1 : a body temperature that is higher than normal

2 : a disease involving fever

fever

noun

fe·ver | \ ˈfē-vər

Medical Definition of fever

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a rise of body temperature above the normal whether a natural response (as to infection) or artificially induced for therapeutic reasons

2 : an abnormal bodily state characterized by increased production of heat, accelerated heart action and pulse, and systemic debility with weakness, loss of appetite, and thirst

3 : any of various diseases of which fever is a prominent symptom

fever

verb

fevered; fevering\ ˈfēv-(ə-)riŋ

Medical Definition of fever (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to affect with fever the malarial plasmodia fevered him

intransitive verb

: to contract or be in a fever : be or become feverish the malaria victim fevered intermittently

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