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

There have been instances of prisoners dying of heatstroke in their cells during heatwaves. —Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

Dee must contend not only with the 200-pound dog, but with the heatstroke that is slowly killing her and her son. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025

Severe dehydration and heatstroke are both medical emergencies and need immediate medical attention. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024

The climactic scene in that film took place when Wallace’s mother and her son face the difficult decision of battling heatstroke in a car that won’t start or confronting the big, rabid dog waiting for them outside the small vehicle. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 Mar. 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