What does homoiothermic mean?
Homoiothermic is a technical adjective describing an animal that maintains a relatively constant internal body temperature despite changes in environmental temperature. Birds and mammals are the best-known examples: they balance heat produced by metabolism with heat lost through the skin, respiratory system, and other routes, allowing their bodies to remain near an optimal operating temperature. The term is especially associated with zoology, although the more familiar form homeothermic is now common in biological literature. It should not be confused with endothermic as a general physiological description, since endothermy can also describe tissues or processes that produce heat. Homoiothermic is useful when the focus is specifically on the maintenance of a stable body temperature across differing surroundings. In general writing, “warm-blooded” is accessible, though less precise, while “homeothermic” is usually the preferred scientific synonym.
adjectiveDenoting an organism that maintains a relatively constant internal temperature despite changes in its surroundings. The term is especially associated with animals whose body temperature is regulated by physiological processes.
- Denoting an organism that maintains a relatively constant internal temperature by regulating heat production and heat loss.
- Of or relating to such regulation of body temperature.
"Most birds and mammals are homoiothermic animals, maintaining a nearly constant body temperature across a wide range of environmental conditions."
"The zoologist compared the energy requirements of homoiothermic mammals with those of ectothermic reptiles."
"A homoiothermic organism can remain active during periods of unusually cold weather."
Homoiothermic animals turn changing surroundings into a stable internal world: their body temperature remains steady even when the weather does not.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does homoiothermic come from?
The word combines Greek roots meaning “same” and “heat,” reflecting the maintenance of a uniform internal temperature. It is a less common scientific form associated with the more established term homeothermic, which was developed with the same underlying Greek elements. Related English words such as thermal and thermic also derive from the Greek root for heat.
Related word forms
How homoiothermic is actually used
This is a technical zoological term. The more common equivalent in modern biological writing is homeothermic, while endothermic has a broader meaning in physiology and ecology. The word can sound archaic or unnecessarily specialized in general prose.
Easily confused with homoiothermic
Both terms denote the regulation of a relatively constant internal body temperature, but homeothermic is the more common modern form in biology.