thermoelectric

American  

[thur-moh-i-lek-trik] / ˌθɜr moʊ ɪˈlɛk trɪk /

Sometimes thermoelectrical

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving the direct relationship between heat and electricity.

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thermoelectric British  

/ ˌθɜːməʊɪˈlɛktrɪk, ˌθɜːməʊɪˈlɛktrɪkəl /

adjective

1. 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

2. 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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thermoelectric Scientific  

/ thûr′mō-ĭ-lĕk′trĭk /

1. 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.

2. See also Seebeck effect

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Other Word Forms

• thermoelectrically adverb

Etymology

Origin of thermoelectric

First recorded in 1815–25; thermo- + electric

Example Sentences

The "total disconnection" of the national electricity system was due to an outage in a power unit at one of the country's thermoelectric plants, causing a "cascading effect", the state-owned Cuban Electric Union said.

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 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

Another advantage is that thermoelectric cooling can operate silently.

From BBC • May 19, 2025

But thermoelectric devices can be easily switched on off.

From BBC • May 19, 2025

Very interesting experiments may thus be performed, and these may lead to the solving of the great thermoelectric problem.

From The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 700 Things for Boys to Do by Popular Mechanics Co.