hypothermia

noun

hy·​po·​ther·​mia ˌhī-pō-ˈthər-mē-ə How to pronounce hypothermia (audio)
: subnormal temperature of the body
hypothermic
ˌhī-pō-ˈthər-mik How to pronounce hypothermia (audio)
adjective

Examples of hypothermia in a Sentence

She fell into the cold water and nearly died from hypothermia.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cotton is infamously bad when wet, absorbing moisture and causing hikers’ hypothermia. — Daniel Varghese, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Suspended in a pool, holding onto an oxygen mask as her teeth chattered, Julia Wolf began to seriously consider the possibility of hypothermia. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 Rapidly dropping water temperatures in the fall can significantly increase the risk of cold water shock and hypothermia for anyone who enters the water, according to DEEP officials. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026 Meadows’ death certificate later listed his cause of death as drowning with probable hypothermia. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hypothermia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypothermia was circa 1886

Rhymes for hypothermia

See All Rhymes for hypothermia

Browse Nearby Words

hypothermal
hypothermia
hypothermic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hypothermia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothermia. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hypothermia

noun
hy·​po·​ther·​mia ˌhī-pō-ˈthər-mē-ə How to pronounce hypothermia (audio)
: reduction of the body temperature to an abnormally low level

Medical Definition

hypothermia

noun
hy·​po·​ther·​mia -ˈthər-mē-ə How to pronounce hypothermia (audio)
: subnormal temperature of the body
hypothermia, defined as temperature under 36.6°C—Emergency Medicine
hypothermic
-mik How to pronounce hypothermia (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hypothermia

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypothermia

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