hyperthermia

American  

[hahy-per-thur-mee-uh] / ˌhaɪ pərˈθɜr mi ə /

Also hyperthermy

noun

1. Pathology. abnormally high fever.

2. Medicine/Medical. treatment of disease by the induction of fever, as by the injection of foreign protein or the application of heat.

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hyperthermia British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈθɜːmɪ, ˌhaɪpəˈθɜːmɪə /

noun

1. pathol variants of hyperpyrexia

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hyperthermia Scientific  

/ hī′pər-thûr′mē-ə /

1. An abnormally high body temperature, usually resulting from infection, certain drugs and medications, or head injury. Hyperthermia is sometimes created intentionally to treat diseases, especially some cancers.

2. Compare hypothermia

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Other Word Forms

• hyperthermal adjective

Etymology

Origin of hyperthermia

From New Latin, dating back to 1885–90; see origin at hyper-, therm-, -ia

Compare meaning

How does hyperthermia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hypothermia vs. hyperthermia

Example Sentences

Male obesity has been linked to low sperm count, via bifold mechanisms of increased conversion of testosterone to estrogen by adipose cells and by scrotal hyperthermia.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

Mason had hyperthermia but equipment wasn't sourced to heat him up.

From BBC • Oct. 27, 2025

The discovery that some muscle proteins act as a temperature sensor may lead to a new hyperthermia strategy, in which skeletal muscle performance is improved by warming up the muscle.

From Science Daily • Oct. 25, 2023

While the nature of the worker deaths is still under investigation, the Observer notes that hyperthermia is likely the cause.

From Salon • Jul. 7, 2023

We chat about hyperthermia and electrolytes until he is ready to order some finicky combination like soup of the day, garden salad, and a side of grits.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich