heater

American  

[hee-ter] / ˈhi tər /

noun

heaters plural

1. any of various apparatus for heating, especially for heating water or the air in a room.

2. Electronics. the element of a vacuum tube that carries the current for heating a cathode.

3. Slang. a pistol, revolver, or other firearm.

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heater British  

/ ˈhiːtə /

noun

1. any device for supplying heat, such as a hot-air blower, radiator, convector, etc

2. slang a pistol

3. electronics a conductor carrying a current that indirectly heats the cathode in some types of valve

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reheater
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• heaters
  plural

Etymology

Origin of heater

First recorded in 1490–1500; heat + -er ¹

Example Sentences

In the seventh, he pumped a heater to the top rail against Miguel Vargas, who stayed on top of the pitch to send a line drive to left field — and right to Call.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026

Stankiewicz credited Trojans pitching coach Sean Allen for helping Edwards, known for his rising heater, improve his curveball and develop his breaking ball.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

Now the family use a small immersion heater for hot water, which usually is enough for a couple of showers.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Astronaut Christina Koch said the so-called Universal Waste Management System was giving off "a burning heater smell."

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

There was a gas heater which hissed companionably.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

• boiler
• fastball
• furnace
• oven
• radiator
• stove