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

This leads to a reduction in the air circulation and puts kids at risk of heatstroke and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as their body temperatures reach dangerous levels. —Hollee Actman Becker, Parents, 2 Oct. 2024

Three were directly related to football participation with traumatic brain injury and 10 were indirectly related, which includes things like exertion and medical issues like heatstroke and sudden cardiac arrest, the center said in the report. —Phil Helsel, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2024

Potentially fatal heatstroke—often marked by hot, dry skin, dizziness and vomiting—typically occurs around 107 to 108 degrees F (about 42 degrees C), Yeargin says. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2024

Trauma rooms, where patients suffering heatstroke are regularly plunged into bags of ice, waited empty, for now. —Lane Sainty, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

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