temperature

noun

tem·​per·​a·​ture ˈtem-pər-ˌchu̇r  ˈtem-pə- 

-p(ə-)rə-,

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

1

a

: degree of hotness or coldness measured on a definite scale

b

: the degree of heat that is natural to the body of a living being

c

: abnormally high body heat

running a temperature

2

a

: relative state of emotional warmth

scandals raised the political temperature

b

: mood

testing the temperature of voters

3

archaic

a

: complexion sense 1

b

: temperament sense 1a

Examples of temperature in a Sentence

Water boils at a temperature of 212°F.

The samples are kept at a constant temperature.

The weatherman predicted unusually low temperatures for the area.

the normal body temperature of 98.6°F

Recent Examples on the Web

These include average heart rate, wrist temperature and — though this is not currently available in the U.S. — blood oxygen levels. —David Phelan, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

Agriculture is our state's No. 1 industry, but farmers are struggling to grow crops and tend to livestock because of the lack of rain and scorching temperatures. —Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 17 Sep. 2024

Law enforcement and community members must find a way to lower the temperature when an interaction occurs. —Richard Boykin, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2024

Another cold front will be approaching the coast and moving from north to south on Wednesday from the Gulf of Alaska, continuing the cool temperatures, said NWS meteorologist Dylan Flynn. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin temperātūra "mixture of substances in proper proportion, adjustment between extremes, mean," from temperātus, past participle of temperāre "to moderate, bring to a proper strength or consistency by mixing, maintain in a state of balance" + -ūra -ure — more at temper entry 2

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing temperature

• body temperature
• color temperature
• dry bulb temperature
• raise/lower the temperature
• room temperature
• run a temperature
• take someone's temperature
• temperature inversion

Kids Definition

temperature

noun

tem·​per·​a·​ture ˈtem-pə(r)-ˌchu̇r  ˈtem-p(ə-)rə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər

1

: the degree of hotness or coldness of something (as air, water, or the body) as shown by a thermometer

2

: fever sense 1a

have a temperature

Medical Definition

temperature

noun

tem·​per·​a·​ture ˈtem-pə(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r  -p(ə-)rə- 

-chər,

-ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r

1

: degree of hotness or coldness measured on a definite scale see thermometer

2

a

: the degree of heat that is natural to a living body

a normal oral temperature of about 98.6°F

b

: a condition of abnormally high body heat

was running a temperature