Definition of furnace
: an enclosed structure in which heat is produced (as for heating a house or for reducing ore)
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Recent Examples of furnace from the Web
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Then another: Littlefield could see Webster’s hand dragging a coal bucket used to feed the laboratory furnace.
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That's because oxygen can be forged only in the nuclear furnace of stars.
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According to Moody, this rule applies to all types of furnaces, and holds true even when the temperature outside is very cold.
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The thyroid works like a furnace and the pituitary as a thermostat.
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During Jebens’ long history, the business had a tin-working shop that produced furnaces and church steeples, including the copper one atop Blue Island’s First Lutheran Church.
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Lisa got loans and started making payments so the family could get a working air-conditioner and furnace.
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Their backyard was flooded, the gate of the backyard fence was cracked, and the boiler, water heater and furnace were damaged.
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They're produced by burning fossil fuel, such as natural gas in home furnaces and water heaters — and in huge power plants that generate electricity for air conditioners and televisions.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'furnace.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of furnace
Middle English furnas, from Anglo-French forneise, from Latin fornac-, fornax; akin to Latin formus warm — more at therm
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First Known Use: 13th century
in the meaning defined above
See Words from the same yearFURNACE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of furnace for English Language Learners
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: one for melting metals
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: one for heating a building or apartment
FURNACE Defined for Kids
Definition of furnace for Students
: an enclosed structure in which heat is produced (as for heating a house or melting metals)
Learn More about furnace
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Spanish Central: Translation of furnace Nglish: Translation of furnace for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of furnace for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about furnace
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