geothermal
adjective
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Geothermal comes partly from the Greek thermos, "hot". Most geothermal electricity is provided by power plants situated in areas where there is significant activity of the Earth's great tectonic plates—often the same areas where volcanoes are found. But hot water from deep underground may be used by cities far from volcanoes to heat buildings or sidewalks. And a newer source of geothermal energy relies on a less dramatic kind of heat: Individual homeowners can now install heat pumps that take advantage of the 50°-60° temperature of the soil near the surface to provide heating in cold weather (and air-conditioning in the warm months). These very small-scale geothermal systems may eventually supply more useful energy than the large power plants.
Examples of geothermal in a Sentence
Barry Neild, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Mohamed most recently served as chief financial officer at Eavor Technologies, a geothermal startup.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
The work includes the campus’ transition to geothermal energy and its residence hall renovations.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
High-efficiency energy systems, photovoltaic panels and a geothermal system further contribute to minimizing emissions.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Geothermal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geothermal. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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geothermal
adjective
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