warm-blooded

adjective

warm-blood·​ed ˈwȯrm-ˈblə-dəd How to pronounce warm-blooded (audio)
1
: having warm blood
specifically : having a relatively high and constant internally regulated body temperature relatively independent of the surroundings
2
: fervent or ardent in spirit
warm-bloodedness noun

Examples of warm-blooded in a Sentence

a warm-blooded defense of everyone's right to free speech
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.
An article from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine stated that toxoplasmosis is an illness caused by a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii—one of the most common parasitic diseases—which can infect nearly all warm-blooded animals, including pets and humans. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 Infestation occurs when fly larvae feed on the tissue or flesh of warm-blooded animals, primarily livestock and, rarely, humans. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025 The flesh-eating maggots go for most warm-blooded animals, including horses and cows. Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025 Screwworms—or technically New World Screwworms (NWS)—are parasitic flies that spawn hundreds of ravenous larvae in the wounds and orifices of a wide range of warm-blooded animals. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for warm-blooded

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of warm-blooded was in 1793

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Warm-blooded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warm-blooded. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

warm-blooded

adjective
warm-blood·​ed
ˈwȯrm-ˈbləd-əd
1
: able to keep up a relatively high and constant body temperature that is mostly independent of that of the surrounding environment
birds and mammals are warm-blooded
2
: warm in feeling
warm-bloodedness noun

Medical Definition

warm-blooded

adjective
warm-blood·​ed ˈwȯrm-ˈbləd-əd How to pronounce warm-blooded (audio)
: having warm blood
specifically : having a relatively high and constant body temperature relatively independent of the surroundings
warm-bloodedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on warm-blooded

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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