temperature
TEHM-pruh-chuh
Temperature (noun) means a measurement of how hot or cold something is. Example: “The temperature dropped below freezing overnight.”
noun
1
A measurement of how hot or cold something is.
"The temperature dropped below freezing overnight."
"Check the oven temperature before you put the bread in."
"The water temperature at the beach was warmer than we hoped."
2
A body temperature higher than normal, indicating fever or illness.
""Aren't you feeling so well this morning?" she asked him anxiously. "Do you think you've got a temperature?""
— Josephine Tey, The Daughter of Time (1951)
"The child had a temperature, so we kept her home from school."
"You have a temperature. I think you should stay home today. You’re sick."
"I think you have a temperature, so rest and drink plenty of water."
"The nurse took his temperature and told him to stay in bed."
How to use temperature
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow hot or cold something is, or (informally) a fever.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
take someone's temperature
room temperature
run a temperature
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Word forms
- Plural
- temperatures
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ dropped below freezing overnight.
Etymology
From Latin temperātūra, from the same root as "temper" — originally referring to a proper mixture or proportion.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for temperature
See all rhymes for temperature →Frequently asked questions
What does “temperature” mean?
The word “temperature” means a measurement of how hot or cold something is. In plain terms, how hot or cold something is, or (informally) a fever.
How do you pronounce “temperature”?
“Temperature” is pronounced TEHM-pruh-chuh (/ˈtɛm.pɚ.(ə)ˌt͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “temperature” in a sentence?
Here is “temperature” used in a sentence: “The temperature dropped below freezing overnight.”
What part of speech is “temperature”?
“Temperature” is a noun.
Where does the word “temperature” come from?
The word “temperature” comes from Latin. From Latin temperātūra, from the same root as "temper" — originally referring to a proper mixture or proportion.
Is “temperature” a common word?
“Temperature” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “temperature” have?
“Temperature” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a measurement of how hot or cold something is.
What is the difference between temperature and heat?
Temperature measures how hot or cold something is, while heat is the energy that flows between things at different temperatures. Adding heat usually raises temperature, but they are not the same: a small hot object can hold less heat than a large warm one. Temperature is a reading; heat is the energy itself.
How is temperature measured?
Temperature is measured with a thermometer and expressed in degrees. The three main scales are Celsius, used in most of the world, Fahrenheit, common in the United States, and Kelvin, used in science. Modern devices range from traditional liquid thermometers to digital and infrared sensors that read heat without any contact.
What is a normal body temperature?
A healthy human body temperature averages about 37°C, or 98.6°F, though it varies slightly by person, time of day and where it is measured. Readings a little above or below are usually normal. A temperature markedly higher often signals a fever, while a very low reading can point to hypothermia.
What are the main temperature scales?
The three common scales are Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin. Celsius sets water's freezing point at 0° and boiling at 100°. Fahrenheit places them at 32° and 212°. Kelvin starts at absolute zero, the coldest possible temperature, and is used mainly in science. Each measures the same thing using a different set of numbers.
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