heatstroke

American

[heet-strohk] / ˈhitˌstroʊk /

noun

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.

heatstroke British

/ ˈhiːtˌstrəʊk /

noun

a condition resulting from prolonged exposure to intense heat, characterized by high fever and in severe cases convulsions and coma See sunstroke

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of heatstroke

First recorded in 1870–75; heat + stroke ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The body is put under greater strain and is more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

To protect against heatstroke, he said people must "drink enough water, use umbrellas and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun".

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

Call 999 if you suspect someone has heatstroke.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

This can put a strain on their respiratory tract, making them more susceptible to heatstroke.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

Our caravan slept in the little shade it could find, grunting like camels with heatstroke.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023