heat exhaustion

noun

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Definition of heat exhaustion

: a condition marked by weakness, nausea, dizziness, and profuse sweating that results from physical exertion in a hot environment — called also heat prostration; compare heatstroke

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Recent Examples of heat exhaustion from the Web

Three firefighters suffered heat exhaustion and were taken to Howard County General Hospital for a precautionary evaluation.

— christina tkacik, Howard County Times, "Lightning starts house fire in Howard County; three firefighters suffer heat exhaustion," 4 July 2018
What happens in the transition from heat exhaustion to heat stroke?

— katherine harmon, Scientific American, "How Does a Heat Wave Affect the Human Body?," 23 July 2010
The rising heat puts more people at risk from heat exhaustion and the more serious heat stroke, health experts say, especially older ones.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Sweaty days are on the rise in Charlotte, and they can send you to the hospital," 11 July 2018
Besides the burns and heat exhaustion, Vacio had a core body temperature that exceeded 101 degrees.

— karen pearlman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Injured Alpine firefighter recovering at home," 10 July 2018
If heat exhaustion isn’t treated quickly, the patient can have a heat stroke, which causes a high fever, profuse sweating and hallucinations, among other symptoms.

— maria elena vizcaino, OrlandoSentinel.com, "With the heat index rising, here's how to stay cool this summer," 22 June 2018
Several firefighters and residents were treated for smoke inhalation or heat exhaustion.

— Washington Post, "Colorado wildfire forces nearly 2K evacuations amid drought," 14 June 2018
In the case of heat exhaustion, the skin becomes clammy and cold and the pulse slows down.

— shelby dermer, Cincinnati.com, "Parents and athletes: How to spot and treat heat-related illnesses this summer," 3 July 2018
According to the Harford County Health Department, heat illness takes many forms, including heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion or the most serious, heat stroke.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Harford opens cooling centers at libraries; pools, creeks top places to beat the searing heat," 2 July 2018

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

First Known Use of heat exhaustion

1861

in the meaning defined above

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HEAT EXHAUSTION Defined for English Language Learners

heat exhaustion

noun

Definition of heat exhaustion for English Language Learners

medical : a condition that happens when someone is too active in extremely hot conditions and that causes a person to sweat and feel very weak, dizzy, etc.

Medical Dictionary

heat exhaustion

noun

medical Definition of heat exhaustion

: a condition characterized by faintness or fainting, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, headache, and profuse sweating and resulting from physical exertion in a hot environment — called also heat prostration; compare heatstroke