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thermal shock

British  

noun

  1. a fluctuation in temperature causing stress in a material. It often results in fracture, esp in brittle materials such as ceramics

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He said the Eaton fire had thrown them into thermal shock.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2025

They don’t do well with the rapid and repeated thermal shock when you build a roaring fire on a cool or cold afternoon.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2023

The Garmin Instinct Tactical fitness tracker has some specs to prove it, meeting military standard 810G for thermal, shock, and water resistance — meaning it’s designed to take a lot of punishment.

From The Verge • May 18, 2022

The thermal shock, especially on cold winter days and nights when the flue liner would be quite cold, most likely caused the tiles to crack.

From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2021

Some food storage containers are made from borosilicate glass because it’s resistant to thermal shock.

From Slate • Sep. 7, 2018

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