heat index

American  

[heet in-deks] / ˈhit ˌɪn dɛks /

noun

Meteorology.

1. a formulaically calculated approximation of how hot it feels given the temperature of the air combined with the relative humidity, based on the fact that an actual temperature will feel warmer as the relative humidity rises and causes a decrease in the natural evaporative cooling from perspiration. HI, H.I.

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heat index Scientific  

1. A measurement of the air temperature in relation to the relative humidity, used as an indicator of discomfort. The heat index is higher when high air temperatures occur with high humidity, and lower when they occur with low humidity. The heat index is based on studies of skin cooling caused by the evaporation of sweat.

2. Also called apparent temperature

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Etymology

Origin of heat index

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heat index

Much of that was due to the scorching heat throughout the Southland, which reached a heat index about 100 at the Coliseum on Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

On a day when the heat index neared 100 degrees, local officials urged residents to minimize their water use to prevent the town’s limited supply from running dry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

The heat index -- which measures how hot it feels based on temperature and humidity combined -- was even more merciless.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

The heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

This past week, the heat index reached 115 degrees in some places, even though the actual temperature was lower.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2025