heater

American  

[hee-ter] / ˈhi tər /

noun

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

• reheater noun

Etymology

Origin of heater

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

Example Sentences

Louis Jr. purchased a small trailer with a tiny space heater to sit on the lot so the kids could eat and rest there while he and his wife sold trees.

From Los Angeles Times

Some who were able to enter salvaged large empty water tanks, while others came out with family photos, mattresses and heaters.

From Barron's

With the cold setting in, Johnson’s staff brings donated space heaters to elderly people trying to stay warm because they can’t afford to fix their broken heating systems.

From The Wall Street Journal

Eligible expenses are for energy-efficient doors and windows and water heaters, among other things—so make sure to finish the work by year-end.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fuel—critical for powering generators, heaters and cooking stoves—is hard to come by in Gaza, where it is only allowed to enter in limited amounts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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