thermoelectric
Americanadjective
adjective
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of, relating to, used in, or operated by the generation of an electromotive force by the Seebeck effect or the Thomson effect
a thermoelectric thermometer
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of, relating to, used in, or operated by the production or absorption of heat by the Peltier effect
a thermoelectric cooler
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Relating to electric potential or power produced by heat, or to heat produced by electric energy. The thermoelectric energy of a nuclear power plant is produced by the heat generated from nuclear fission. The thermoelectric properties of materials such as selenium and semiconductors are exploited in devices such as thermistors and thermocouples used in temperature gauges.
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See also Seebeck effect
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of thermoelectric
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.
Most of the thermoelectric plants were 25 to 35 years old, Mr. Mesa-Lago wrote, and sourcing parts was “extremely difficult.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026
The oil would likely not be used for Cuba's aging thermoelectric power plants, which rely on the country's own crude production.
From Barron's ● Mar. 30, 2026
The country's electricity generation is sustained by a network of eight aging thermoelectric plants -- some in operation for over 40 years -- that suffer frequent breakdowns or must be shut down for maintenance cycles.
From Barron's ● Mar. 21, 2026
But thermoelectric devices can be easily switched on off.
From BBC ● May 19, 2025
In the ice is a thermoelectric junction, the wires leading to which are in communication with a reflecting galvanometer.
From The Birth-Time of the World and Other Scientific Essays by Joly, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
