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
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
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
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.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on heatstroke
Nglish: Translation of heatstroke for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heatstroke
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