First Known Use: 1742
Dictionary
1thermal
adjective ther·mal \ˈthər-məl\
: of, relating to, or caused by heat
: designed to keep you warm by preventing heat from leaving your body
: having hot water flowing out of the ground
Full Definition of THERMAL
1
[Latin thermae public baths, from Greek thermai, plural of thermē] : of, relating to, or marked by the presence of hot springs <thermal waters>
2
a : of, relating to, or caused by heat <thermal stress> <thermal insulation> b : being or involving a state of matter dependent upon temperature <thermal conductivity> <thermal agitation of molecular structure> c : having low energies of the order of those due to thermal agitation <thermal neutrons>
3
: designed (as with insulating air spaces) to prevent the dissipation of body heat <thermal underwear>
— ther·mal·ly \-mə-lē\ adverb
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Origin of THERMAL
Greek thermē
Other Physics Terms
Rhymes with THERMAL
2thermal
noun
: a rising current of warm air that is produced when the sun heats an area of the ground
thermals : thermal clothing or underwear
Full Definition of THERMAL
: a rising body of warm air
See thermal defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of THERMAL
1933
THERMALLY Defined for Kids
thermal
adjective ther·mal \ˈthər-məl\
Definition of THERMAL for Kids
: of, relating to, or caused by heat <thermal insulation>
Medical Dictionary
thermal
adjective ther·mal \ˈthər-məl\
Medical Definition of THERMAL
1
: of, relating to, or caused by heat <tactile and thermal senses>
2
: being or involving a state of matter dependent upon temperature <thermal agitation of molecular structure>
—ther·mal·ly \-mə-lē\ adverb
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