temperature

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

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

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

The dribblers, whiffs and temperature at 52 degrees made April feel like an endless winter.

— hunter atkins, Houston Chronicle, "Astros use huge 5th inning to secure victory against Padres," 8 Apr. 2018
Sunday is expected to match Saturday’s high of 45, with cloudy skies Saturday clearing on Sunday and overnight temperatures dipping just below 30, Simpson said.

— alana levene and maddie kilgannon, BostonGlobe.com, "Sunny skies, climbing temps on tap for this week," 8 Apr. 2018
With the Senate in recess last Wednesday, Heitkamp, who prides herself on rarely wearing a coat even in below freezing temperatures, spent the frigid day making and remaking connections, traveling to five events in four towns.

— NBC News, "Heidi Heitkamp bets big on small-state politics to save her seat," 8 Apr. 2018
Her vital signs were unremarkable — heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature were all within normal ranges.

— rick pescatore, Philly.com, "Medical mystery: Headaches that needed more than pills to resolve," 8 Apr. 2018
The trees are cold-sensitive and damaged by temperatures much below freezing.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Don’t let crape myrtle pruning become a 'chainsaw massacre'," 7 Apr. 2018
But Castro set them down again, and extra innings began as temperatures began to drop in New York.

— jon meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Pedro Álvarez hits tiebreaking grand slam in 14th, gives Orioles 7-3 win over Yankees," 7 Apr. 2018
With the late hour and temperatures in the high 30s, the ride near the Big Four Bridge was shut down for the rest of the night.

— bobby shipman, The Courier-Journal, "SkyStar Observation Wheel at Big Four Bridge closes early after glitch leads to evacuation," 7 Apr. 2018
While his teammates played through sunny but cold conditions (temperatures in the 30s), Moore charted plays from the sidelines while wearing his red No.

— tom groeschen, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Bearcats QB Moore slightly hurt, misses scrimmage at Paul Brown Stadium," 7 Apr. 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.

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

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

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.