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

Etymology

Origin of heatstroke

First recorded in 1870–75; heat + stroke ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heatstroke heatstrokes

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

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

Heat exhaustion can turn into heatstroke which is a medical emergency.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

At the back of the vehicle, a tourist suffering from heatstroke had just been treated by a doctor.

From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026

By the end, I wanted to crawl into Chip’s minifridge and sleep for a thousand years, but Chip seemed immune to both fatigue and heatstroke.

From "Looking for Alaska" by John Green

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