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.
Point Reyes National Seashore in California, for instance, warns that coastal waters are cold year-round and hypothermia is a real threat. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 Authorities said the hiker, who had hypothermia, was hoisted from his location and taken to a waiting ambulance before being transported to a hospital in stable condition. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 Some hikers reported hypothermia, and had been taken to nearby rescue sites, where food, medicine, heat and oxygen supplies are available. Kaijing Xiao, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2025 In a separate research avenue, scientists have found that anesthesia in mice can induce tau phosphorylation through mechanisms at least partially related to hypothermia. Robert Martone, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 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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