hot flash

noun

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of hot flash

: a sudden brief flushing and sensation of heat caused by dilation of skin capillaries usually associated with menopausal endocrine imbalance — called also hot flush

See hot flash defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of hot flash from the Web

Belly fat, along with hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia and irritability, is one of the many downsides of the end of a woman's menstrual cycles.

— sandee lamotte, CNN, "Hormone replacement may fight belly fat, study says," 27 Mar. 2018
As doctors have moved away from opioids, many have shifted to doling out gabapentin for a variety of off-label uses including treatment of migraines, hot flashes and almost any type of pain.

— beth warren, The Courier-Journal, "Drug touted as a safe alternative to painkillers has been found in more Louisville deaths," 26 Mar. 2018
Of course, the hormone shifts associated with menopause are also a common cause of nighttime hot flashes, says Dr. Hadine Joffe, an associate professor in the division of sleep medicine at Harvard Medical School.

— markham heid, Time, "You Asked: Why Do I Sweat When I Sleep?," 21 Mar. 2018
Sogioka’s work shows warm family moments, but also hot flashes of violent conflict, something not always part of the conversation about internment — the effect being confined and under pressure has on people.

— jerry large, The Seattle Times, "History of Japanese-American detention comes to life in new show of ordinary objects," 4 Mar. 2018
In the drug’s initial formulation, side effects included hot flashes, diarrhea and nausea, but those diminished greatly after it was reformulated, said Mr. Scolamiero, who owns a financial services company.

— pam belluck, New York Times, "Two Prostate Cancer Drugs Delay Spread of the Disease by Two Years," 8 Feb. 2018
First there's perimenopause: That's the few years before menopause when those bothersome symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and the urgent need to go to the bathroom begin.

— dr. oz, Good Housekeeping, "Dr. Oz Tackles Your Biggest Health Questions," 17 Jan. 2018
Tamoxifen can reduce the risk of a breast cancer recurrence, but many women complain of side effects like hot flashes and weight gain.

— Health.com, "5 Things to Know About Tamoxifen, the Breast Cancer Drug Jill Goodacre Has Been Taking Since Her Surgery," 26 Oct. 2017
Read more women’s health: Why do women get hot flashes, and what can be safely done about them?

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "Does breast-feeding really decrease my cancer risk?," 15 Oct. 2017

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

First Known Use of hot flash

1907

HOT FLASH Defined for English Language Learners

hot flash

noun

Definition of hot flash for English Language Learners

: a sudden brief hot feeling experienced especially by women during menopause

Medical Dictionary

hot flash

noun

medical Definition of hot flash

: a sudden brief flushing and sensation of heat caused by dilation of skin capillaries usually associated with menopausal endocrine imbalance — called also hot flush