preheat

verb

pre·​heat (ˌ)prē-ˈhēt 

preheated; preheating; preheats

transitive verb

: to heat (something) beforehand

especially : to heat (an oven) to a designated temperature before using for cooking

preheater noun

Examples of preheat in a Sentence

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees before you put the roast in.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Richards is also the kind of person to go from zero to fist punch in an instant, and his temper temperature is permanently preheated to full boil. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025

Forecasters have warned locals to take precautions including motorists giving themselves extra time in the morning to preheat their cars, and to protect their plumbing. —Sirena Bergman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

While the oven preheats, combine fennel, heavy cream, garlic, nutmeg, some of the Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. —Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025

Place a baking steel or stone in the top third of the oven and preheat the broiler. —Katie Parla, Saveur, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preheat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

preheat

verb

pre·​heat (ˈ)prē-ˈhēt 

: to heat beforehand

preheat the oven to 400 degrees