hyperactivity

noun

hy·​per·​ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌhī-pər-ˌak-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce hyperactivity (audio)
1
: the state or condition of being overly active
Canada geese are disarmingly expressive. … They disdain the frantic hyperactivity of smaller birds.Benjamin B. Bachman
2
: increased levels of function or activity especially when considered abnormally excessive
She had developed delusions of invincibility, along with bouts of hyperactivity and severe insomnia.Per Ola and Emily D'Aulaire
especially : higher than usual levels of movement and activity (such as excessive talking or fidgeting) typically associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
An estimated 1 in 50 school-age children in the United States, receive stimulant medication to help quell inattentiveness and hyperactivity. Christine Mlot

Examples of hyperactivity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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As a teenager, he was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, severe depression and bipolar disorder. Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024 Kids who deal with symptoms of anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other conditions may present with a tendency to talk more. Emily Edlynn, Parents, 1 Nov. 2024 Depositphotos View 1 Images Spanning nearly 100 laboratories in 45 countries, landmark research has, for the first time, shown an association between genetic brain size and neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024 Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety are separate conditions that can affect a person’s mood and behavior. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hyperactivity 

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hyperactivity was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near hyperactivity

Cite this Entry

“Hyperactivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyperactivity. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

hyperactivity

noun
hy·​per·​ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌhī-pə-ˌrak-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce hyperactivity (audio)
plural hyperactivities
: a state or condition of being excessively or pathologically active

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