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 If a child has suffered a heatstroke, they should be placed in a cool environment and in a bath of cool water. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2023 On July 11, a man in his forties collapsed and died in Italy while working outdoors, according to local media, and there have been multiple reports of heatstroke in the country. Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 14 July 2023 Fortunately, if a heatstroke is treated early, recovery is likely. Akshay Syal, M.d., NBC News, 14 July 2023 The stepfather of a recruit training with the Mississippi National Guard is asking why military personnel forced his stepson to exercise in blistering temperatures last month, leading to heatstroke and a coma. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023 Understanding heatstroke Heatstroke is a severe condition that can develop when the body is unable to cool itself effectively. Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law, Dallas News, 14 July 2023 The city government advised outdoor work to be suspended when temperatures run high, and ordered authorities to take emergency measures to prevent heatstroke. Nectar Gan, CNN, 7 July 2023 The second type of heat illness is exertional heatstroke, which occurs during physical activity. Carolyn Kormann, The New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2023 This year's total is four above the 23 pediatric heatstroke deaths reported in 2021. Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 21 Sep. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heatstroke.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heatstroke was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near heatstroke

Cite this Entry

“Heatstroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heatstroke. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

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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