thermal energy

American  

[thur-muhl en-er-jee] / ˈθɜr məl ˈɛn ər dʒi /

noun

Physics.

1. the energy of a body or system that is directly related to its temperature.

   In a steam turbine, the thermal energy of the water vapor transforms into the mechanical power of the turbine.

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Etymology

Origin of thermal energy

First recorded in 1850–55

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

thermal energy

Instead of simply redirecting incoming heat, a future cloak would need to concentrate, distribute, or guide thermal energy as conditions change.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

As AI chips process queries, they produce thermal energy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

Traditional heat engines, such as internal combustion engines and steam turbines, operate by turning thermal energy into mechanical motion, or simply converting heat into movement.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 22, 2026

"This challenge was a wake-up call. Now we have woken up," he added, promising more solar and thermal energy projects.

From BBC ● Nov. 26, 2025

But Dad’s main interest was energy: thermal energy, nuclear energy, solar energy, electrical energy, and energy from the wind.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

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