room temperature

[room tem-per-uh-cher, -choor, -pruh-, -per-cher, room]

noun

1. a temperature at which food, drink, medicine, etc., is neither cooled nor heated.

   Unopened, our sauces can be stored at room temperature for months, but opened jars must be refrigerated.

   The cheeses are best served at room temperature.

2. any indoor temperature that falls within a range considered comfortable for human occupancy.

   We tested the strength of the bond at room temperature and at 140°F.

room temperature

noun

1. the normal temperature of a living room, usually taken as being around 20°C

Word History and Origins

Origin of room temperature¹

First recorded in 1845–50