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  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈθɜːmɪə, ˌhaɪpəˈθɜːmɪ /

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

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Etymology

Origin of hyperthermia

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

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Compare meaning

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

• hypothermia vs. hyperthermia

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hyperthermia

The condition, called malignant hyperthermia, causes a potentially life-threatening reaction to certain drugs used during anaesthesia.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

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

To deal with the irreversible temperature increases we already experience, people need to take precautions to avoid hyperthermia, Romps said.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 20, 2024

The death certificate says he died of hyperthermia.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 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

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