hyperthermia

noun

hy·​per·​ther·​mia ˌhī-pər-ˈthər-mē-ə How to pronounce hyperthermia (audio)
: exceptionally high fever especially when induced artificially for therapeutic purposes
hyperthermic adjective

Examples of hyperthermia 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.
The 9-year-old had a body temperature of 108 degrees and died of hyperthermia, a medical examiner ruled, authorities said. Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025 Gbemisola Akayinode, 36, was arrested on Friday for the murder of 9-year-old Oluwasikemi Akayinode after the girl's death was ruled a homicide as a result of hyperthermia (heat stroke), according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2025 The Jefferson County Coroner released his cause of death as hyperthermia, or heat-stress related. Stephanie Kuzydym, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Sep. 2025 This heat, combined with an arid desert landscape that offers little to no shade, can quickly lead to dehydration and hyperthermia. Owen Clarke, Outside, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hyperthermia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from hyper- + therm- + -ia

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hyperthermia was in 1887

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hyperthermia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyperthermia. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

hyperthermia

noun
hy·​per·​ther·​mia ˌhī-pər-ˈthər-mē-ə How to pronounce hyperthermia (audio)
1
: elevated temperature of the body (as that occurring in heatstroke) see malignant hyperthermia
2
: the artificial heating of all or part of the body (as in diathermy) for therapeutic purposes (as to treat cancer)
hyperthermic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hyperthermia

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