thermal

¹ther·mal

adj \ˈthər-məl\

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

Origin of THERMAL

Greek thermē

First Known Use: 1742

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

Rhymes with THERMAL

dermal