Definition of fever
1a : a rise of body temperature above the normalb : any of various diseases of which fever is a prominent symptom
2a : a state of heightened or intense emotion or activityb : a contagious usually transient enthusiasm : craze
Explore Merriam-Webster
Examples of fever in a Sentence
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 of fever from the Web
-
Using the same technology, the new effort will study how gene drive might defend against Zika, chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever.
-
There was no municipal garbage service then, Ms. Xu said, and so the tensions eventually reached a fever point.
-
New spa, buffet opening soon in Louisville Symptoms for dogs include lethargy, persistent coughing or sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, fever and reduced appetite.
-
The centimeter-long worms spread through blood vessels, causing fever, diarrhea, anemia, and stunted growth.
-
Those who contract the waterborne bacteria often experience symptoms including skin lesions, wound infections, pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and nausea within 24 hours of infection.
-
Their scenario begins with impoverished residents watching their pigs and poultry fall ill, suffering high fevers and bleeding from the mucous membranes in their mouths and noses.
-
The building originally served as a hotel in the early 1800s until the Union Army captured Savannah during the Civil War, and it was later transformed into a hospital for yellow fever outbreaks.
-
The mosquito is responsible for more deaths than any other animal on earth, thanks to its habit of spreading diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
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.
Origin and Etymology of fever
Middle English, from Old English fēfer, from Latin febris
First Known Use of fever
1606
FEVER Defined for English Language Learners
fever
playDefinition of fever for English Language Learners
-
: a body temperature that is higher than normal
-
: a disease that causes an increase in body temperature
-
: a state of excited emotion or activity
FEVER Defined for Kids
fever
playDefinition of fever for Students
1 : a body temperature that is higher than normal
2 : a disease involving fever
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of fever
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
Learn More about fever
-
See words that rhyme with fever Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fever Spanish Central: Translation of fever Nglish: Translation of fever for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fever for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fever
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up fever? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!