hypothermia

American  

[hahy-puh-thur-mee-uh] / ˌhaɪ pəˈθɜr mi ə /

noun

1. Pathology. subnormal body temperature.

2. Medicine/Medical. the artificial reduction of body temperature to slow metabolic processes, as for facilitating heart surgery.

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hypothermia British  

/ ˌhaɪpəʊˈθɜːmɪə /

noun

1. pathol an abnormally low body temperature, as induced in the elderly by exposure to cold weather

2. med the intentional reduction of normal body temperature, as by ice packs, to reduce the patient's metabolic rate: performed esp in heart and brain surgery

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hypothermia Scientific  

/ hī′pə-thûr′mē-ə /

1. An abnormally low body temperature, often caused by prolonged exposure to cold.

2. Compare hyperthermia

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Other Word Forms

• hypothermic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypothermia

First recorded in 1885–90; hypo- + therm- + -ia

Compare meaning

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

• hypothermia vs. hyperthermia

Example Sentences

While no deaths have been reported as a result of the flooding, more than 200 people have been saved from the rising waters, and at least 10 people have been hospitalized with hypothermia.

From MarketWatch

Members of the ambulance service said they had to treat her for hypothermia.

From BBC

Seabirds are especially at risk because oil destroyed the waterproofing of their feathers, leading to hypothermia and drowning.

From Barron's

No hypothermia for me, thank you very much.

From Literature

Despite this, Callum was still insisting he would get the ferry and head home, despite being at risk of hypothermia.

From BBC