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
Mark Dee
may 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 May 2026
The technology combines old-school geothermal science with modern oil-drilling and fracking techniques to develop reservoirs and power plants anywhere the customers want—as opposed to traditional geothermal power, dating back over 100 years, which relies on naturally occurring reservoirs.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Firehole Swim Area, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming The country's first national park, Yellowstone is famous for its geothermal springs.
—Talia Avakian, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
In the much nearer term, however, Zambia could economically benefit by harnessing energy — geothermal plants are emerging in the area.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Geothermal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geothermal. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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geothermal
adjective
