tem ‧ pera ‧ ture S2 W2 /ˈtemprətʃə, ˈtemprɪtʃə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: temperatura 'mixture' , from temperare ; ⇨ ↑ temper 2 ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] a measure of how hot or cold a place or thing is:
The temperature of the water was just right for swimming.
Water boils at a temperature of 100ºC.
2 . sb’s temperature the temperature of your body, especially used as a measure of whether you are sick or not:
The nurse took (=measured) my temperature.
3 . have a temperature ( also be running a temperature ) to have a body temperature that is higher than normal, especially because you are sick:
Susie has a temperature and has gone to bed.
4 . [countable] the temperature of a situation is the way people are reacting, for example whether they are behaving angrily or calmly:
The referee’s decision to give a penalty raised the temperature of the match.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + temperature
▪ high
At high temperatures water is not able to hold as much oxygen.
▪ low
Temperatures were so low most plants could not survive.
▪ constant
The temperature of the room is kept constant.
▪ extreme temperatures
The material has to be able to withstand extreme temperatures.
▪ sub-zero temperatures
They spent six hours on the mountain in sub-zero temperatures.
▪ the air/water temperature
The water temperature should be between 60 and 65°F.
▪ somebody's body temperature
His body temperature was high and he was dehydrated.
■ phrases
▪ a rise in temperature/a temperature rise
The result was a rise in the Earth's temperature.
▪ a drop/fall in temperature
At night there is a dramatic drop in temperature.
▪ a change in temperature
The oil is affected by changes in temperature.
▪ at room temperature
Store the wine at room temperature.
■ verbs
▪ the temperature rises
The temperature rose steadily throughout the morning.
▪ the temperature soars (=rises quickly to a high level)
In summer the temperature can soar to over 40°C (104°F).
▪ the temperature falls/drops
Last winter, the temperature fell below freezing on only five days.
▪ raise the temperature
The thermostat allows you to raise the temperature.
▪ lower the temperature
Paracetomol lowers your body temperature.