heat pump

American  

noun

1. a device that uses a compressible refrigerant to transfer heat from one body, as the ground, air, or water, to another body, as a building, with the process being reversible.

---

heat pump British  

noun

1. a device, as used in a refrigerator, for extracting heat from a source and delivering it elsewhere at a much higher temperature

---

Etymology

Origin of heat pump

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Karman has developed a cooling system similar to the heat pumps in the average home, except its pumps use liquid carbon dioxide as refrigerant, which is circulated using rocket engine technology rather than fans.

From Los Angeles Times

For a heat pump after the subsidy households pay on average £5,000.

From BBC

The company retrofitted properties using the UK government's ECO4 scheme, which provides grant funding to low income, vulnerable households for additions such as insulation, heat pumps or solar panels.

From BBC

But emissions in transport and buildings rose again in 2025, noted the study, criticising "years of insufficient progress" in the shift to electric vehicles and heat pumps.

From Barron's

It added that the UK saw a one-percent rise in electricity demand "after years of decline", as electric vehicles, heat pumps and data centres connected to the grid in larger numbers.

From Barron's