thermostat

American  

[thur-muh-stat] / ˈθɜr məˌstæt /

noun

1. a device, including a relay actuated by thermal conduction or convection, that functions to establish and maintain a desired temperature automatically or signals a change in temperature for manual adjustment.

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verb (used with object)

thermostatted, thermostated, thermostatting, thermostating

1. to equip or control with a thermostat.

thermostat British  

/ ˈθɜːməˌstæt /

noun

1. a device that maintains a system at a constant temperature. It often consists of a bimetallic strip that bends as it expands and contracts with temperature, thus breaking and making contact with an electrical power supply

2. a similar device that actuates equipment, such as a sprinkler, when a certain temperature is reached

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thermostat Scientific  

/ thûr′mə-stăt′ /

1. A device that automatically controls heating or cooling equipment in such a way as to maintain a temperature at a constant level or within a specified range, generally using a thermometer capable of triggering electrical switches that activate or deactivate the equipment.

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thermostat Cultural  

1. A device that monitors and automatically responds to changes in temperature and activates switches controlling devices such as furnaces or air conditioners.

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Other Word Forms

• thermostatic adjective
• thermostatically adverb

Etymology

Origin of thermostat

First recorded in 1825–35; thermo- + -stat

Example Sentences

And it means that body weight is like a thermostat: your body aims to maintain that preferred range.

From BBC

To save money on your heating bill, turn off radiators in rooms you do not use and use your central thermostat to control the overall temperature, he said.

From BBC

Instead, it may respond unevenly, as if the thermostat were not positioned close to the air conditioner.

From Science Daily

When I am helping others, I like to set up automatic updates on iOS and Android devices first, then security cameras, thermostats and Wi-Fi routers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Should we set our thermostats lower in winter and wear sweaters indoors?

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• manager