temperature

[ tem-per-uh-cher, -choor, -pruh-, -per-cher ]

noun

1. a measure of the warmth or coldness of an object or substance with reference to some standard value. The temperature of two systems is the same when the systems are in thermal equilibrium. : T
2. Physiology, Pathology.
   1. the degree of heat in a living body, normally about 98.6°F (37°C) in humans.
   2. the excess of this above the normal.
3. Obsolete. mildness, as of the weather.
4. Obsolete. temperament.

temperature

/ ˈtɛmprɪtʃə /

noun

1. the degree of hotness of a body, substance, or medium; a physical property related to the average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules of a substance
2. a measure of this degree of hotness, indicated on a scale that has one or more fixed reference points
3. informal.
   a body temperature in excess of the normal
4. archaic.
   1. compromise
   2. temperament
   3. temperance

temperature

/ tĕm′pər-ə-chr′ /

1. A measure of the ability of a substance, or more generally of any physical system, to transfer heat energy to another physical system. The temperature of a substance is closely related to the average kinetic energy of its molecules.
2. See also Boyle's law
3. Any of various standardized numerical measures of this ability, such as the Kelvin, Fahrenheit, and Celsius scales.
4. An abnormally high body temperature; a fever.

Word History and Origins

Origin of temperature¹

First recorded in 1525–35, temperature is from the Latin word temperātūra a tempering. See temperate, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of temperature¹

C16 (originally: a mingling): from Latin temperātūra proportion, from temperāre to temper

Usage

Heat and temperature are closely related but distinct and sometimes subtle ideas. Heat is simply transferred thermal energy—most commonly, the kinetic energy of molecules making up substance, vibrating and bouncing against each other. A substance's temperature, on the other hand, is a measure of its ability to transfer heat, rather than the amount of heat transferred. For example, a match lit under a pot of boiling water reaches a much higher temperature than the water, but it is able to give off much less heat, since only a small amount of thermal energy is created and released by it. When any two substances of different temperatures are in thermal contact, the laws of thermodynamics state that heat flows from the higher-temperature substance into the lower-temperature substance, raising the temperature of the heated body and lowering the temperature of the body releasing heat until thermal equilibrium is reached, and the temperatures are the same. Thus temperature describes a characteristic of matter that determines the direction and extent of heat transfer, so the match with little heat but high temperature still adds energy to the water when placed under the pot. Providing a closed physical system with heat generally raises its temperature but not necessarily; for example, ice at zero degrees Celsius requires considerable additional heat in order to melt into water at zero degrees Celsius. Temperature can be related to the average kinetic energy of the molecules of gases, though this relation breaks down in most real cases involving liquids, solids, substances with larger molecules, and radiation with no mass, such as light. The two most common temperature scales, Celsius (C) and Fahrenheit (F), are based on the freezing and boiling points of water. On the Celsius scale there are 100 increments between the two points, and on the Fahrenheit scale there are 180. Scientists also use the International System units called Kelvins (K). A difference in temperature of one degree is equivalent in the Celsius and Kelvin scales, but their absolute scales are different: while zero degrees C is the temperature at which water freezes (at a pressure of one atmosphere), zero degrees K (−273.72 degrees C), also called absolute zero, is the least possible temperature for a system, representing a theoretical state from which no heat can be extracted.

Idioms and Phrases

see run a fever (temperature) .

Example Sentences

Rising temperatures have dried out the West’s forests, making them more vulnerable to fire.

From Vox

To monitor the change, a global fleet of about 4,000 devices called Argo floats is collecting temperature data from the ocean’s upper 2,000 meters.

From Science News

As temperatures have been warming, mangroves have been spreading.

From Science News For Students

Meanwhile, temperatures are rising and rainfall patterns are becoming more extreme.

From MIT Technology Review

I added that to a spreadsheet with the temperature of each ice bottle.

From Science News For Students

Not quite, but at one point the temperature registered 29 below zero, with 21 inches of snow.

From The Daily Beast

Turn the heat down to 325°F and continue cooking until internal temperature reads 140°F on a thermometer.

From The Daily Beast

Turns out that wool regulates temperature, repels water, wicks away moisture, and resists stains and dirt.

From The Daily Beast

Drew Servis, 24, was walking home Sunday night and recalls the temperature well below freezing.

From The Daily Beast

The caregiver Fatu had acted fast – the temperature reading on the Thursday night was high.

From The Daily Beast

Thus the increase of temperature that augments the elasticity of a fluid confined, would expand it in the same degree.

From Project Gutenberg

As all parts of this apparatus are of metal changes in humidity or temperature do not affect its regulation.

From Project Gutenberg

The tuning of an organ is seriously affected by the temperature of the surrounding air.

From Project Gutenberg

The greatest ranges of temperature occur in the Piedmont and in the Great Valley.

From Project Gutenberg

In general, the climate of the entire state is mild with few extremes in temperature.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• climate
• cold
• condition
• heat
• warmth