endothermy

noun

en·​do·​ther·​my ˈen-də-ˌthər-mē How to pronounce endothermy (audio)
: physiological generation and regulation of body temperature by metabolic means : the property or state of being warm-blooded

Examples of endothermy in a Sentence

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.
More recently, researchers have been looking for dinosaur endothermy with a method called carbonate clumped isotope paleothermometry. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2020 Mammals, birds and a handful of fish are either endotherms or evolved some degree of endothermy. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2020 The results recalibrate what some previous studies had proposed about the origins of endothermy in mammals. Riley Black, Scientific American, 20 July 2022 One of these defenses is known as endothermy, which keeps our bodies warm, protecting us from potentially harmful microbes. Gisela Crespo, CNN, 29 Jan. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of endothermy was in 1922

Dictionary Entries Near endothermy

Cite this Entry

“Endothermy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endothermy. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

endothermy

noun
en·​do·​ther·​my ˈen-də-ˌthər-mē How to pronounce endothermy (audio)
plural endothermies
1
2
: physiological regulation of body temperature by metabolic means
especially : the property or state of being warm-blooded

More from Merriam-Webster on endothermy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!