-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
heat shield
noun
: a barrier of ablative material to protect a space capsule from heat on its entry into an atmosphere
Examples of heat shield in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The base absorbed most of the heat, so researchers designed a heat shield that boiled away as the capsule shot through the atmosphere.
—
Discover Magazine, 1 July 2024
The crew capsule has a heat shield to survive reentry and safely return astronauts or cargo to Earth.
—
Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 29 June 2024
The Starship's heat shields protected the craft as the atmosphere naturally slowed its descent without the use of engines to navigate toward the Earth's surface.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 6 June 2024
Such heat shields have never been tested at the speeds a spacecraft returning from the moon will experience.
—
Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 16 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for heat shield ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-07-26--16-18-58-h04dq/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar.svg)
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heat shield.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1962, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to heat shield
Dictionary Entries Near heat shield
Cite this Entry
“Heat shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20shield. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
heat shield
noun
: a barrier of insulation to protect a space capsule from heat on its return to earth
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share