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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of heat exhaustion

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heat exhaustion

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

During a heat wave, there are three conditions to watch out for: dehydration; heat exhaustion, which can be characterized by headaches and nausea; and the more serious heatstroke.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026

Though this is particularly dangerous for vulnerable people, it can put healthy individuals at risk too, leading to poor sleep, cardiovascular stress and a greater risk for heat exhaustion in subsequent days.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

What are the heat exhaustion and heatstroke symptoms?

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

This is twenty-four days of heat, exhaustion, and monotony.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti