adiabatic

adjective adi·a·bat·ic \ ˌa-dē-ə-ˈba-tik , ˌā-ˌdī-ə- \

Definition of adiabatic

: occurring without loss or gain of heat

adiabatic expansion of a gas

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adiabatically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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Recent Examples of adiabatic from the Web

This is done via a generator (usually a natural gas generator) or in a more environmentally friendly way using heat saved from the storage process in an adiabatic CAES system.

— megan geuss, Ars Technica, "Here are humanity’s best ideas on how to store energy," 28 Oct. 2017
This means that the adiabatic cooling even more extreme during carbon dioxide release.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Opening Warm Champagne Leads to a Pop of Blue," 19 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adiabatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of adiabatic

Greek adiábatos "impassable" (from a- ²a- + diabatós "to be crossed, fordable," verbal adjective of diabaínein "to step across, pass over," from dia- dia- + baínein "to walk, step") + ¹-ic — more at ¹come

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First Known Use: 1870

in the meaning defined above

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