convection

noun

con·​vec·​tion kən-ˈvek-shən How to pronounce convection (audio)
1
: the action or process of conveying
2
a
: movement in a gas or liquid in which the warmer parts move up and the cooler parts move down
convection currents
b
: the transfer of heat by convection
foods cooked by convection
compare conduction, radiation
convectional
kən-ˈvek-shnəl How to pronounce convection (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Examples of convection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Its convection heat gets the spuds buttery and creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2023 Most airplane ovens can either use convection or steam to heat, says Jones – and can contain as many as 40 or 50 meals at a time. Julia Buckley, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 The lake cascaded into the Atlantic Ocean, where the freshwater pooled over the denser seawater, disrupting the convection current carrying warm water north from the tropics. Zach St. George, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Surrounding this orb is the radiative zone, then a convection zone, which generates magnetic fields. Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 The paper also argued that current climate models can’t predict patterns that stem from tropical convection or the stratospheric polar vortex. Joe Mathews, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 This one has an air-frying basket for all of your French fry needs, in addition to convection cooking ability. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 27 Nov. 2023 The other two are heat conduction and heat convection. Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023 Induction cooking uses direct electrical induction heating, rather than relying on indirect radiation, convection, or thermal conduction. Michelle Love, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin convection-, convectio, from Latin convehere to bring together, from com- + vehere to carry — more at way

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of convection was circa 1623

Dictionary Entries Near convection

Cite this Entry

“Convection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convection. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

convection

noun
con·​vec·​tion kən-ˈvek-shən How to pronounce convection (audio)
: motion in a gas or liquid in which the warmer portions rise and the colder portions sink
also : the transfer of heat by this motion
convectional
-shnəl How to pronounce convection (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
convective
-ˈvek-tiv
adjective

Medical Definition

convection

noun
con·​vec·​tion kən-ˈvek-shən How to pronounce convection (audio)
1
: the circulatory motion that occurs in a fluid at a nonuniform temperature owing to the variation of its density and the action of gravity
2
: the transfer of heat by convection in a fluid
convectional adjective
convective adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on convection

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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