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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Everything is gone from the basement — the furnace, hot water heater, washer and dryer.
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The propane-powered furnace would supply heating, though the gentle nighttime temperatures didn’t require it.
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The propane-powered furnace would supply heating, though the gentle nighttime temperatures didn’t require it.
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My eyelashes prickled, skin seared as if by a furnace blast.
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Whether ultimately kitschy, classical, utilitarian or visionary, all hot glasswork starts with melting batches of silica sand, soda ash and limestone in a 2,400 degree Fahrenheit furnace for blowing, casting into molds and other processes.
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The home is energy efficient with great attic insulation, an efficient furnace, double pane windows, energy-effcient appliances, tank-less water heater, programmable thermostat and thermal windows.
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The propane-powered furnace would supply heating, though the gentle nighttime temperatures didn’t require it.
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But as Elyse Harney, Ms. Morris’s mother, tells it, the industry eventually ran out of charcoal to fire its forges and furnaces, and water power from the town’s lakes wasn’t sufficient.
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
FURNACE Defined for English Language Learners
furnace
playDefinition 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
furnace
playDefinition 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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