temperature

noun

tem·per·a·ture | \ ˈtem-pər-ˌchu̇r

, ˈtem-pə-, -p(ə-)rə-, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r

Definition of temperature

1a : 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

2a : relative state of emotional warmth scandals raised the political temperature

b : mood testing the temperature of voters

3 archaic

a : complexion sense 1

b : temperament sense 1a

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 on the Web

Despite its chilly temperatures, the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah remains a key destination for style. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Stranger Things’ Girl Next Door Was Sundance’s Breakout Style Star," 4 Feb. 2019 For example, after noticing that deep sleep accounted for just 29 percent of my overall sleep one evening, the card told me to avoid high-intensity exercises before bed, as well as other things that could raise my body temperature before sleep. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Huawei Watch GT review: When hardware and software don’t mesh," 16 Dec. 2018 His quanta effectively capped the amount of energy that heated objects could release at any temperature. — Tim Folger, Discover Magazine, "How Quantum Mechanics Lets Us See, Smell and Touch," 24 Oct. 2018 Well, your body has an indicator of health and system imbalance which is your temperature, 98.6 means more or less your system’s in balance. — Peter Kafka, Recode, "Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey talked to NYU’s Jay Rosen for an hour, on the record. Read and listen to the full interview here.," 14 Sep. 2018 However, what if your bed does that itself? Sleep Number's 360 smart mattresses can track your nightly sleeping patterns, make adjustments to their firmness and can adjust their temperatures. — Fox News, "10 smart devices you never knew about before now," 12 Sep. 2018 Dublin in winter, which scores points for its moderate temperatures, innovative art galleries, and cozy pubs; and Rome in the spring, the perfect launching point from which to explore low-key Ponza. — Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "Flight Deal: U.S. to Europe from $99 One-Way," 11 Sep. 2018 The 549 people on flight EK 203 found out on Wednesday, when officials evaluated them and took their temperatures. — Rachel Becker, The Verge, "What happens on plane full of sick passengers? An aerospace medicine expert explains," 6 Sep. 2018 Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine, is slightly sweeter than your typical room-temperature, tannic reds, but still upholds a crisp freshness that hits the perfect summer note. — Lauren Sheffield, Harper's BAZAAR, "Forget Rosé: These Are the Wines You Need to Be Sipping," 26 July 2018

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.

History and Etymology for temperature

borrowed from Latin temperātūra "mixture of substances in proper proportion, adjustment between extremes, mean," from temperātus, past participle of temperāre "to moderate, bring to a proper strength or consistency by mixing, maintain in a state of balance" + -ūra -ure — more at temper entry 2

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