hyperactivity

noun

hy·​per·​ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌhī-pər-ˌak-ˈti-və-tē 

1

: the state or condition of being overly active

Canada geese are disarmingly expressive. … They disdain the frantic hyperactivity of smaller birds.

—Benjamin B. Bachman

2

: increased levels of function or activity especially when considered abnormally excessive

She had developed delusions of invincibility, along with bouts of hyperactivity and severe insomnia.

—Per Ola and Emily D'Aulaire

especially : higher than usual levels of movement and activity (such as excessive talking or fidgeting) typically associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

An estimated 1 in 50 school-age children in the United States, receive stimulant medication to help quell inattentiveness and hyperactivity.

—Christine Mlot

Examples of hyperactivity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The medical care Briana received felt cold and typically ended with Briana receiving prescribed medication that had severe side effects and failed to stop the seizures and hyperactivity brought on by her condition. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025

The social/behavioral group met early developmental milestones on time, with other conditions posing challenges later in development, including attention defecit / hyperactivity disorder and depression. —The Baltimore Sun, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025

Extending assistance to children braving learning hindrances, such as ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), dyslexia, and executive dysfunction, the program aims to offer support to the aspiring young scholars in need. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

Taking acetaminophen during pregnancy is not clearly linked to autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, a new review finds. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hyperactivity

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Rhymes for hyperactivity

• bioactivity
• commutativity
• cooperativity
• generativity
• insensitivity
• interactivity
• overactivity
• performativity
• retroactivity
• absorptivity
• affectivity
• collectivity

Medical Definition

hyperactivity

noun

hy·​per·​ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌhī-pə-ˌrak-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

plural hyperactivities

: a state or condition of being excessively or pathologically active

especially : attention deficit hyperactivity disorder