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

According to the Center for Science In The Public Interest, six out of 11 studies found a connection between the food dye and genotoxicity, as well as hyperactivity in children. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

While some research has suggested a link between certain dyes and an increase in hyperactivity and moodiness or irritability in children, the evidence still isn’t conclusive, which may explain why the FDA is taking so long, Nestle said. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 23 Mar. 2025

The state legislature acted after a state analysis concluded the dye could cause hyperactivity in children. —Phil Galewitz, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2025

Several dyes have been linked to hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children or have been shown to cause cancer in mice or rats -- but none have shown to cause cancer in humans. —Sony Salzman, ABC News, 22 Apr. 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