heatstroke

noun heat·stroke \ ˈhēt-ˌstrōk \

Updated on: 27 Mar 2018

Definition of heatstroke

: 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

See heatstroke defined for English-language learners

See heatstroke defined for kids

Recent Examples of heatstroke from the Web

For Lulu, a 4-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, heatstroke was fatal.

— scott mccartney, WSJ, "On Your Next Trip, Leave the Pets at Home," 20 Mar. 2018
An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, and authorities believe Ramos Juarez, 15, died of heatstroke after entering the United States.

— Newsweek, "July 25 Issue," 25 July 2017
He was found dead from heatstroke, dumped at the side of a road by colleagues.

— The Economist, "Pyramid schemes cause huge social harm in China," 3 Feb. 2018
At least 41 children have died of heatstroke this year after being left in the back seat of a parked vehicle.

— paul stenquist, New York Times, "Forgetting a Child in a Back Seat Can Kill. Cars May Soon Warn You.," 26 Oct. 2017
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 1998 and 2016, 739 children died nationwide due to vehicular heatstroke.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Boy left in hot vehicle for 8 hours at Miles College died from hyperthermia, coroner says," 16 Oct. 2017
Alaska State Troopers say the van was stolen July 10 from Fireweed Road and found nearby on July 13, with Flash dead from heatstroke inside.

— zaz hollander, Alaska Dispatch News, "Valley couple convicted of leaving dog to die in stolen van," 3 Oct. 2017
Zhang Chao, 25, suffered heatstroke and died while being held by swindlers in Tianjin in July, the police said.

— javier c. hernÁndez and iris zhao, New York Times, "As China’s Economy Slows, ‘Business Cults’ Prey on Young Job Seekers," 27 Sep. 2017
More than 800 children have died of heatstroke in vehicles since 1990, the organization said.

— time, Time, "1-Year-Old Who Died May Have Been Left in Hot Van for Hours," 12 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heatstroke.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of heatstroke

1874

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

HEATSTROKE Defined for English Language Learners

heatstroke

noun

Definition of heatstroke for English Language Learners

medical : a serious condition that happens when someone has been in high temperatures for a long time and that causes a person to stop sweating, have a very high body temperature, and become exhausted or unconscious

Medical Dictionary

heatstroke

noun heat·stroke \ ˈhēt-ˌstrōk \

medical Definition of heatstroke

: 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

Learn More about heatstroke

See words that rhyme with heatstroke Nglish: Translation of heatstroke for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heatstroke

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up heatstroke? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

heatstroke

Definition of heatstroke

Recent Examples of heatstroke from the Web

First Known Use of heatstroke

HEATSTROKE Defined for English Language Learners

heatstroke

Definition of heatstroke for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

heatstroke

medical Definition of heatstroke

Learn More about heatstroke

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

mollycoddle

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Add Diction

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

heatstroke

Definition of heatstroke

Recent Examples of heatstroke from the Web

First Known Use of heatstroke

HEATSTROKE Defined for English Language Learners

heatstroke

Definition of heatstroke for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

heatstroke

medical Definition of heatstroke

Learn More about heatstroke

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes