1 : a measurement that indicates how hot or cold something is : a measurement in degrees showing the heat of something (such as air or water) [count] ▪ The water temperature has risen (by) two degrees. [=the water has become two degrees warmer] ▪ Water boils at a temperature of 212°F. ▪ The samples are kept/maintained at a constant temperature. ▪ The weatherman predicted unusually low/high temperatures for the area. ▪ There was a sudden fall/drop in temperature. [=it got colder] ▪ a change in temperature = a temperature change [noncount] ▪ Keep the wine at room temperature. [=the temperature of a room that is comfortable] 2 a [singular] : a measurement of the heat in a person's body
▪ the normal body temperature of 98.6°F ▪ Did you take his temperature? [=did you use a thermometer to find out if he had a fever?]
b [count] : a level of heat that is above what is normal for the human body : fever
▪ I have a temperature. = I am running a temperature. 3 [count] formal : the level of anger, excitement, etc., in a situation
▪ The governor's speech raised/lowered the political temperature. [=it made people more/less angry about the political situation] ▪ The love affair raised the temperature of the story. [=it made the story more exciting]