fever

noun

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

Officials say at least 10 people were taken to the hospital after an Emirates Airline plane from Dubai landed in New York City with about 100 passengers and crewmembers who reported feeling ill, some with a cough and a fever. — Katherine Lam, Fox News, "Emirates plane carrying sick passengers lands at JFK airport, officials say," 2 Oct. 2018 Eight-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo died in U.S. custody at a New Mexico hospital on Christmas Eve after suffering a cough, vomiting and fever, authorities said. — Nomaan Merchant, The Seattle Times, "Deaths of 2 children raise doubts about US border agency," 26 Dec. 2018 When fever develops, my wife immediately puts him on at-the-ready antibiotics. — Jonathan Kolatch, WSJ, "Keeping Dad Alive From 7,000 Miles Away," 23 Dec. 2018 These can all cause foodborne illness that coops you up with symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and a fever, the Mayo Clinic explains. — Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, "These Are the Dirtiest Things in Your Home (Which You Should Clean Immediately)," 21 Dec. 2018 And all of a sudden, I was caught up in this fever of People Power. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Memo from a ‘Facebook nation’ to Mark Zuckerberg: You moved fast and broke our country.," 26 Nov. 2018 Other symptoms can range from bloody diarrhea and vomiting to a low fever. — Rachel Becker, The Verge, "Throw out your romaine, it could be contaminated with E. coli," 20 Nov. 2018 Jumping on the brand wagon The Aliens versus Predator brand is a childhood fever dream brought to life—who hasn't had playground arguments over who'd win in a fight between some of the biggest and baddest bad guys of them all? — Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, "Video: How an 11th-hour decision made Aliens versus Predator a classic," 20 Nov. 2018 Following her idyllic nuptials with Jack Brooksbank, royal wedding fever took hold of the world for the second time in 2018. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Cressida Bonas Makes a Surprising Appearance in Princess Eugenie’s Official Wedding Portraits," 14 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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

14 Jan 2019

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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