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

Utilities in the Midwest on Saturday directed customers to lower thermostats, unplug “nonessential appliances,” and reduce temperature settings on electric water heaters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Such attacks also disrupt electricity supplies, but while a generator or battery pack might help in this situation, heating is less straightforward - especially when there is also no electricity to power your heater.

From BBC

She emphasized risks ranging from hypothermia to heart attacks while shoveling, stressing precautions like protecting pipes, using heaters safely, and checking on vulnerable neighbors.

From Barron's

Warming your body with toasty cables against your shirt is far more energy-efficient than a space heater, though probably not as convenient on a Zoom call.

From The Wall Street Journal

Batteries, most of which can deliver power for about two hours, should have time to recharge during the day but also will need to recharge overnight, when people will be cranking their heaters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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