body heat

American  

[bod-ee heet] / ˈbɒd i ˌhit /

noun

1. Physiology. heat generated in the body of a living animal through processes such as metabolism and muscle activity.

   When body temperature is low, muscles can contract to produce body heat.

   A good down sleeping bag will provide insulation to keep your body heat from escaping if you’re winter camping.

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Etymology

Origin of body heat

First recorded in 1860–65

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

body heat

Heat stress -- the name given to the hazardous build-up of body heat caused by soaring temperatures, humidity and other factors -- is one of the most common ways that weather kills people.

From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026

These are a rare group, making up less than 0.1% of all fish species, that can retain body heat and keep parts of themselves warmer than the surrounding water.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 18, 2026

Every hour or so during cross-country ski exercises, when the team took five minute-breaks, they layered-up with puffer jackets to trap the body heat generated from skiing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 23, 2026

When it is not possible to keep rooms heated to 18C, he recommends wearing gloves, warm socks and a woolly hat, eating a higher carbohydrate diet and generating more body heat by moving around.

From BBC ● Nov. 18, 2025

“At least all those bodies provided a little body heat, because the nights could get very cold and our wooden barracks were unheated,” Jack said.

From "Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps" by Andrea Warren

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Related Words

• climate
• cold
• condition
• heat
• warmth

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