heatstroke

noun

heat·​stroke ˈhēt-ˌstrōk How to pronounce heatstroke (audio)
: a life-threatening condition marked especially by cessation of sweating, extremely high body temperature, and collapse that results from prolonged exposure to high temperature compare heat exhaustion, sunstroke

Examples of heatstroke in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Today, for $50 — the price of two boxes of gloves — employers can deploy a wearable sensor clipped to a worker’s arm to track core temperature and heart rate, sending a warning before the body crosses the edge into heatstroke. Dean Florez, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025 In 2017, the same tragedy occurred when Zach Martin, 16, died of heatstroke during summer football practice in Florida. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2025 Varie was already showing advanced signs of heatstroke. Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025 Here are some vital things to know about children and heatstroke in automobiles - and how to possibly save a life. Josh Max, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heatstroke

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heatstroke was in 1874

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Cite this Entry

“Heatstroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heatstroke. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

heatstroke

noun
heat·​stroke ˈhēt-ˌstrōk How to pronounce heatstroke (audio)
: a condition marked especially by the stopping of sweating, a high body temperature, and exhaustion that results from exposure to high temperature for a long time compare sunstroke

Medical Definition

heatstroke

noun
heat·​stroke ˈhēt-ˌstrōk How to pronounce heatstroke (audio)
: a life-threatening condition characterized by cessation of sweating with inadequate elimination of body heat, extremely high temperature, rapid pulse, hot dry skin, flaccid muscles, delirium, collapse, and coma and resulting from prolonged exposure to high environmental temperature which causes a dysfunction of the temperature-regulating mechanism of the body see sunstroke compare heat exhaustion

More from Merriam-Webster on heatstroke

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