room temperature

American  

[room tem-per-uh-cher, -choor, -pruh-, -per-cher, room] / ˈrum ˈtɛm pər ə tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər, -prə-, -pər tʃər, ˈrʊm /

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.

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room temperature British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of room temperature

First recorded in 1845–50

Example Sentences

Room temperature whites may be the leftovers on the counter we drink for breakfast the next morning, another barbarian habit we apparently indulge.

From Washington Post • Jan. 21, 2022

"Room temperature butter is cool to the touch — not warm or greasy," says McKenney.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2021

"Room temperature," it reads, "should be maintained between 55 and 60F."

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2020

Room temperature water, as you might know from experience, doesn’t help that much.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2019

Room temperature is maintained within half a degree.

From The Great Gray Plague by Jones, Raymond F.