heatstroke

noun

heat·​stroke ˈhēt-ˌstrōk 

: 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

We’re told a golfer died of heatstroke not long ago. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026

Doctors initially suspected heatstroke and low blood sugar and began oral rehydration therapy to stabilize him. —Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Exposure to cold or heat can lead to hypothermia or heatstroke. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

Those living unsheltered suffer preventable harms such as frostbite and heatstroke in Colorado’s climate of extremes. —Sarah Stella, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heatstroke

• awoke
• baroque
• bespoke
• colloque
• convoke
• evoke
• invoke
• keystroke
• kinfolk
• kinsfolk
• menfolk
• provoke

Kids Definition

heatstroke

noun

heat·​stroke ˈhēt-ˌstrōk 

: 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 

: 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