temperature

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noun tem·per·a·ture \ ˈtem-pər-ˌchu̇r , ˈtem-pə- , -p(ə-)rə- , -chər , -ˌtyu̇r , -ˌtu̇r \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of temperature

1 a :degree of hotness or coldness measured on a definite scale

b :the degree of heat that is natural to the body of a living being

c :abnormally high body heat

running a temperature

2 a :relative state of emotional warmth

scandals raised the political temperature

b :mood

testing the temperature of voters

3 archaic

a :complexion 1

b :temperament 1a

See temperature defined for English-language learners

See temperature defined for kids

Examples of temperature in a Sentence

Water boils at a temperature of 212°F.
The samples are kept at a constant temperature.
The weatherman predicted unusually low temperatures for the area.
the normal body temperature of 98.6°F

Recent Examples of temperature from the Web

In addition to tracking storms, Earth observations also reveal to us a planet with warming temperatures, disappearing glaciers, and declining arctic sea ice.

— david grinspoon, The Atlantic, "Hurricane Harvey Lays Bare Our New Bargain With Nature," 30 Aug. 2017
What were temperatures at other Chicago locations then?

— tom skilling, chicagotribune.com, "Ask Tom: What were temperatures at weather stations Sept. 22, 1995?," 29 Aug. 2017
For a second straight day, temperatures hit 100 or above across a large swath of San Diego’s inland valleys and foothills as a heat wave started to reach its peak.

— gary robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "For second straight day, temperatures soar above 100 in valleys, canyons," 29 Aug. 2017
Cincinnati's high daytime Wednesday temperature was 81 degrees.

— byron mccauley, Cincinnati.com, "The day I nearly forgot my daughter was in the car," 24 Aug. 2017
Roast until the thigh reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Half roasted chicken recipe | Varanese," 15 Aug. 2017
Authorities checked the water temperature in the tub, which reached 135 degrees within one minute, records state.

— ruth ann krause, Post-Tribune, "Hammond mom accused of intentionally scalding baby who's now in coma," 10 Aug. 2017
The KUDU's three cooking surfaces give you all the temperature control a grillmaster could ever want.

— jason tesauro, Esquire, "The Grill That Changed My Life," 10 Aug. 2017
Brian Stelter and Bill Carter mulled Trump's tweeting and the show again relied heavily on newspapers, notably a New York Times disclosure on a draft government report about drastically rising temperatures.

— vanityfair.com, "Why Trump Is Wasting His Energy on Blumenthal," 8 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'temperature.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of temperature

Latin temperatura mixture, moderation, from temperatus, past participle of temperare

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First Known Use: 1533

See Words from the same year

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

TEMPERATURE Defined for English Language Learners

temperature

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noun

Definition of temperature for English Language Learners

: a measurement that indicates how hot or cold something is : a measurement in degrees showing the heat of something (such as air or water)
: a measurement of the heat in a person's body
: a level of heat that is above what is normal for the human body

TEMPERATURE Defined for Kids

temperature

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noun tem·per·a·ture \ ˈtem-pə-rə-ˌchu̇r , -prə-ˌchu̇r , -pə-ˌchu̇r , -chər \

Definition of temperature for Students

1 :degree of hotness or coldness as measured on a scale

2 :abnormally high body heat :fever

Word Root of temperature

The Latin word temperāre, meaning “to make mild,” “to control,” or “to soften,” gives us the root temper. Words from the Latin temperāre have something to do with mildness or control. To temper is to soften or make something less strong or difficult. Someone temperamental has little control over her or his mood and reactions to people and events. Temperature, or the degree of hotness or coldness, tells whether something is mild, too hot, or too cold.