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

Last year, 29 children died of heatstroke in vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024

Jan Null, a consulting meteorologist with the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science at San Jose State University, has been tracking U.S. child vehicular heatstroke deaths since 1998, and all were preventable. —Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2024

That included 10 cases of severe heat illness, including heatstroke. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 17 June 2024

California Baby girl dies after boating in Lake Havasu on 120-degree day; investigation launched July 11, 2024 The girl appears to have died from complications due to a heatstroke, but the official cause of death has yet to be determined, Sutter said. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 9 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