nonthermal

adjective

non·​ther·​mal ˌnän-ˈthər-məl 

: not produced by heat

specifically : of, relating to, or being radiation having a spectrum that is not the spectrum of a blackbody

Examples of nonthermal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The thermal carafe is stainless steel, while the nonthermal option is borosilicate glass. — Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 23 May 2025

The injury mechanism can be attributed to a thermal (electrical current) effect and a nonthermal (mainly electrical field) effect. — Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2014

Ultrasound has not caused tissue damage in studies implementing its nonthermal bioeffects to modulate neuronal activity at acoustic intensities below those recommended for safe use in diagnostic imaging. — Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2014

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nonthermal

• transdermal
• dermal
• thermal
• ectodermal
• endodermal
• epidermal
• epithermal
• geothermal
• hydrothermal
• intradermal
• isothermal
• mesodermal

Kids Definition

nonthermal

adjective

non·​ther·​mal -ˈthər-məl 

: not produced by heat