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
Benjamin B. Bachman2
: 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
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
Christine Mlot Examples of hyperactivity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It is largely characterized by manic episodes (periods of elation and hyperactivity), which are then followed by depressive episodes (sadness and depression).
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Using it, scientists suppressed RTN hyperactivity in the mice.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
And like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the psychiatric focus was on males.
—New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2025
More than two dozen studies around the world have linked a pregnant person's frequent use of acetaminophen to autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in their child.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hyperactivity
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Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Using it, scientists suppressed RTN hyperactivity in the mice.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
And like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the psychiatric focus was on males.
—New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2025
More than two dozen studies around the world have linked a pregnant person's frequent use of acetaminophen to autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in their child.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hyperactivity
Cite this Entry
“Hyperactivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyperactivity. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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