hypothermia

noun

hy·​po·​ther·​mia ˌhī-pō-ˈthər-mē-ə How to pronounce hypothermia (audio)
: subnormal temperature of the body
hypothermic adjective

Examples of hypothermia in a Sentence

She fell into the cold water and nearly died from hypothermia.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite resuscitation efforts from Read and paramedics, O’Keefe was pronounced dead at a local hospital of blunt force trauma to the head and hypothermia, according to NBC News. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 19 June 2025 The wide range could have posed a significant risk to Quinn, potentially resulting in hypothermia if he was not properly shielded from the elements overnight. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025 Trussell died from a combination of the toxic effects of amphetamines and hypothermia, coroner officials said, adding that undigested prescription medication was found in her body during the autopsy. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 5 June 2025 One woman who survived had to be flown to a hospital with severe frostbite and hypothermia. Steve Karnowski, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hypothermia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypothermia was circa 1886

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hypothermia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothermia. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

hypothermia

noun
hy·​po·​ther·​mia ˌhī-pō-ˈthər-mē-ə How to pronounce hypothermia (audio)
: reduction of the body temperature to an abnormally low level

Medical Definition

hypothermia

noun
hy·​po·​ther·​mia -ˈthər-mē-ə How to pronounce hypothermia (audio)
: subnormal temperature of the body
hypothermia, defined as temperature under 36.6°CEmergency Medicine
hypothermic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hypothermia

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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