heatstroke

noun

heat·​stroke ˈhēt-ˌstrōk 

: a life-threatening condition marked especially by cessation of sweating, extremely high body temperature, and collapse that results from prolonged exposure to high temperature compare heat exhaustion, sunstroke

Examples of heatstroke in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2024, 39 children died of heatstroke in vehicles — up 35% from 2023, according to NoHeatStroke.org. 2018 and 2019 brought a record number of such hot car deaths — 53 children died each year. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

In 2023, 29 children died of heatstroke in vehicles in the U.S. What are heatstroke symptoms in kids? —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

According to data from Kids and Car Safety, since 1990, Texas has led the nation in child heatstrokes, with 156 deaths in total. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

There were 16 cases of vehicular heatstroke deaths reported from 1990 to 2024. —Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heatstroke

• awoke
• baroque
• bespoke
• colloque
• convoke
• evoke
• invoke
• keystroke
• kinfolk
• kinsfolk
• menfolk
• provoke

Kids Definition

heatstroke

noun

heat·​stroke ˈhēt-ˌstrōk 

: a condition marked especially by the stopping of sweating, a high body temperature, and exhaustion that results from exposure to high temperature for a long time compare sunstroke

Medical Definition

heatstroke

noun

heat·​stroke ˈhēt-ˌstrōk 

: a life-threatening condition characterized by cessation of sweating with inadequate elimination of body heat, extremely high temperature, rapid pulse, hot dry skin, flaccid muscles, delirium, collapse, and coma and resulting from prolonged exposure to high environmental temperature which causes a dysfunction of the temperature-regulating mechanism of the body see sunstroke compare heat exhaustion