thermal energy

American  

[thur-muhl en-er-jee] / ˈθɜr məl ˈɛn ər dʒi /

noun

Physics.

1. the energy of a body or system that is directly related to its temperature.

   In a steam turbine, the thermal energy of the water vapor transforms into the mechanical power of the turbine.

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Etymology

Origin of thermal energy

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

This approach allows scientists to estimate the thermal energy of the intracluster medium:the gas existing between the galaxies of a given cluster.

From Science Daily • Jan. 7, 2026

Earlier this month, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said its thermal energy plants suffered “significant damage”, resulting in blackouts.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2024

While most microreactors can output up to 20 megawatts in order to reach that number, NANO’s models emphasize the micro — with output capped at about 5 megawatts of thermal energy for conversion to electric.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2024

The scientists also considered radiative forcing, a measure of the balance of energy from sunlight that hits Earth, compared with thermal energy the planet loses.

From Scientific American • Sep. 13, 2023

But Dad’s main interest was energy: thermal energy, nuclear energy, solar energy, electrical energy, and energy from the wind.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls