temperature
noun
ˈtemprətʃə(r) 
ˈtemprətʃər ˈtemprətʃʊr 
1 the measurement in degrees of how hot or cold a thing or place ishigh/low temperaturesa fall/drop in temperaturea rise in temperatureThe temperature has risen (by) five degrees.Heat the oven to a temperature of 200°C (= degrees centigrade ).Some places have had temperatures in the 40s (= over 40° centigrade ). see also absolute temperature, room temperature2 the measurement of how hot somebody's body isto take somebody's temperature (= measure the temperature of somebody's body using a special instrument) (British English) Does he have a temperature (= is it higher than normal, because of illness)?She's running a temperature (= it is higher than normal).He's in bed with a temperature of 40°.Help
In North American English you can take somebody's temperature but in the other examples the word fever is used. compare feverIdioms
raise/lower the temperature
to increase/decrease the amount of excitement, emotion, etc. in a situation
His angry refusal to agree raised the temperature of the meeting.The government tried to lower the political temperature by agreeing to some of the demands.