temperature
noun
tem·per·a·ture ˈtem-pər-ˌchu̇r 
ˈtem-pə-,
-p(ə-)rə-,
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r 1
a
: degree of hotness or coldness measured on a definite scale
b
: the degree of heat that is natural to the body of a living being
c
: abnormally high body heat
running a temperature
2
a
: relative state of emotional warmth
scandals raised the political temperature
b
: mood
testing the temperature of voters
3
archaic
a
: complexion sense 1
b
: temperament sense 1a
Example Sentences
Water boils at a temperature of 212°F. The samples are kept at a constant temperature. The weatherman predicted unusually low temperatures for the area. the normal body temperature of 98.6°F
Recent Examples on the Web My balance can get wonky and sometimes my body is unable to regulate its temperature. 
Dina Mishev, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 There is a new feature to add to the list: a new two-sensor design that allows the wearer to track their skin temperature during sleep. Brett Williams, Men's Health, 15 Sep. 2022 Some thermal paste products can help reduce your PC temperature by 2 to 3 degrees. Toby Grey, BGR, 15 Sep. 2022 For most of human history, premature infants, who struggle to regulate their own body temperature, died. Katherine Harmon Courage, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022 Salt Lake City tied its all-time high temperature Wednesday at 107 degrees (41.6 C). CBS News, 10 Sep. 2022 The star that the two planets orbit is over six times smaller than our sun, and its temperature is half of our star, Pozuelos added. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 Salt Lake City tied its all-time high temperature Wednesday at 107 degrees. John Antczak And Brian Melley, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2022 Drinking plenty of water during the day can help your body better regulate your temperature at night. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 See More
Dina Mishev, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 There is a new feature to add to the list: a new two-sensor design that allows the wearer to track their skin temperature during sleep. Brett Williams, Men's Health, 15 Sep. 2022 Some thermal paste products can help reduce your PC temperature by 2 to 3 degrees. Toby Grey, BGR, 15 Sep. 2022 For most of human history, premature infants, who struggle to regulate their own body temperature, died. Katherine Harmon Courage, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022 Salt Lake City tied its all-time high temperature Wednesday at 107 degrees (41.6 C). CBS News, 10 Sep. 2022 The star that the two planets orbit is over six times smaller than our sun, and its temperature is half of our star, Pozuelos added. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 Salt Lake City tied its all-time high temperature Wednesday at 107 degrees. John Antczak And Brian Melley, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2022 Drinking plenty of water during the day can help your body better regulate your temperature at night. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin temperātūra "mixture of substances in proper proportion, adjustment between extremes, mean," from temperātus, past participle of temperāre "to moderate, bring to a proper strength or consistency by mixing, maintain in a state of balance" + -ūra -ure — more at temper entry 2
First Known Use
1533, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Phrases Containing temperature
Kids Definition
temperature
noun
tem·per·a·ture ˈtem-pə-rə-ˌchu̇r
-prə-ˌchu̇r,
-pə-ˌchu̇r,
-chər
1
: degree of hotness or coldness as measured on a scale
2
: abnormally high body heat : fever
Medical Definition
temperature
noun
tem·per·a·ture ˈtem-pə(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r -p(ə-)rə-
-p(ə-)rə- -chər,
-ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r
1
: degree of hotness or coldness measured on a definite scale see thermometer
2
a
: the degree of heat that is natural to a living body
a normal oral temperature of about 98.6°F
b
: a condition of abnormally high body heat
was running a temperature