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heat exhaustion

American  

noun

  1. a condition characterized by faintness, rapid pulse, nausea, profuse sweating, cool skin, and collapse, caused by prolonged exposure to heat accompanied by loss of adequate fluid and salt from the body.


heat exhaustion British  

noun

  1. Also called: heat prostration. a condition resulting from exposure to intense heat, characterized by dizziness, abdominal cramp, and prostration Compare heatstroke

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of heat exhaustion

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

She says her daughter has previously suffered from heat exhaustion and was hospitalised after overheating at her primary school.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

Six other firefighters farther north in Staffordshire were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion battling similar blazes there, the fire service said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Several passengers were treated for heat exhaustion and difficulty breathing, ABC7 reported, citing fire officials.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026

He urged people to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activities during the heat of the day and to stay aware of symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

He ran on, mimicking Alec with every step, hoping they’d round the fire and break away from it before he died of thirst and heat exhaustion.

From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner

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