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

But if that sweat doesn't evaporate, the body can't remove the heat, which slowly builds up, pushing people away from the safe core temperature and into potential heatstroke. —Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 6 Dec. 2024

Her sister Sherrie was killed in a 1990 car accident and in 2021 her mother died of heatstroke following the devastating Dixie Fire. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024

Extreme heat is a growing threat for elite athletes, with cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke becoming more common as fossil fuel pollution pushes temperatures and humidity levels up. —Lou Robinson, CNN, 11 Aug. 2024

Around Nigeria, floods contaminate drinking water and create breeding grounds for malaria-carrying mosquitoes; the high temperatures can lead to heatstroke and rashes. —New York Times, 4 Nov. 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