furnace

[fur-nis]

noun

1. a structure or apparatus in which heat may be generated, as for heating houses, smelting ores, or producing steam.

2. a place characterized by intense heat.

   The volcano was a seething furnace.

3. Astronomy.,  Furnace, the constellation Fornax.

verb (used with object)

furnaced, furnacing 

1. to heat (a metal piece) in a furnace.

furnace

/ ˈfɜːnɪs /

noun

1. an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to generate steam, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc

2. a very hot or stifling place

Other Word Forms

• furnacelike adjective
• furnace-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of furnace¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English furneis, furnais, from Old French fornais, fournais, from Latin fornāc- (stem of fornāx “kiln, oven”), akin to formus “warm”

Word History and Origins

Origin of furnace¹

C13: from Old French fornais , from Latin fornax oven, furnace; related to Latin formus warm

Example Sentences

For most of us, it’s like lighting cash on fire every time our furnace or AC kicks on.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Water and temperature sensors are also super useful, something I wish I had when my furnace went out while on a cruise a few years ago.

Read more on Salon

The Monkey King frees six puppet horses, who rise above the stage on long poles; he staggers out of the furnace with glowing red eyes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If you’re thinking about replacing your furnace or installing insulation, “this is the time,” Wolfe said.

Read more on MarketWatch

It loads the raw material into furnaces that melt it.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• boiler 
• heater 
• heating system www.thesaurus.com
• incinerator 
• kiln 
• stove