heatstroke

noun heat·stroke \ ˈhēt-ˌstrōk \

|Updated on: 30 Jul 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

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See heatstroke defined for kids

Recent Examples of heatstroke from the Web

Vehicular heatstroke deaths increased dramatically in the mid-1990s as states began mandating that car seats be placed in the back seat to avoid harm from front-seat air bags.

— ellen byron, WSJ, "Long Efforts to Stop Hot-Car Deaths," 2 May 2018
The small dog died of heatstroke on the way to a veterinary hospital.

— sophia eppolito, BostonGlobe.com, "Chihuahua left in dog carrier dies of heatstroke," 11 July 2018
Pediatric vehicular heatstroke killed 742 children between 1998 and 2017, the safety council found.

— Washington Post, "Police: Oregon toddler dies after being left in hot car," 22 June 2018
The signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, fever, seizures and unconsciousness.

— cathy m. rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, "Tips to keep your pooch safe and healthy this summer," 22 June 2018
Since 1990, 38 children in Arizona have died from heatstroke in vehicles.

— lauren castle, azcentral, "Even in the shade, hot cars can quickly become lethal for children, study shows," 20 June 2018
This story isn’t uncommon — around 37 children under the age of 14 die from being left in a hot car each year, with 13 already occurring in 2018, according to NoHeatStroke.org, which studies child vehicular heatstroke deaths.

— julie mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "What to Know About Hot Car Deaths and How to Avoid Them," 19 June 2018
In 2014, Morgan State freshmen defensive lineman Marquese Meadow died of heatstroke after a preseason practice, according to an autopsy.

— edward lee, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair (McDonogh) dies two weeks after collapsing in team workout," 13 June 2018
The council released a report this month that says 742 US children died of heatstroke in vehicles between 1998 and 2017.

— maritza moulite, CNN, "37 US children die in hot cars each year, report says," 12 June 2018

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

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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