heatstroke

American  

[heet-strohk] / ˈhitˌstroʊk /

noun

• heatstrokes
  plural

1. a disturbance of the temperature-regulating mechanisms of the body caused by overexposure to excessive heat, resulting in fever, hot and dry skin, and rapid pulse, sometimes progressing to delirium and coma.

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heatstroke British  

/ ˈhiːtˌstrəʊk /

noun

1. a condition resulting from prolonged exposure to intense heat, characterized by high fever and in severe cases convulsions and coma See sunstroke

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• heatstrokes
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of heatstroke

First recorded in 1870–75; heat + stroke ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heatstroke heatstrokes

On the bus back to the city, it became apparent that an employee visiting from Hong Kong was likely suffering from heatstroke.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

If USC had maintained its traditional rivalry scheduling with Notre Dame this season, they would have sold out the Coliseum on Thanksgiving Saturday instead of subjecting a sparse August crowd to possible heatstroke.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

Temperatures could reach 39C in the prefecture in the coming days, according to forecasts, with officials urging survivors and rescuers to take precautions against heatstroke.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

A string of aftershocks have shaken the area since the initial quake, further rattling locals in stifling summer temperatures, forecast to hit at least 35C later in the day and a heatstroke warning issued.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

In the scorching April heat, many older people become ill from heatstroke and dehydration, but they dare not rest.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

Last year, the number of people who suffered heatstrokes at their workplaces reached a record 1,803, said a report by news outlet Kyodo.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

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