preheat

verb

pre·​heat (ˌ)prē-ˈhēt How to pronounce preheat (audio)
preheated; preheating; preheats

transitive verb

: to heat (something) beforehand
especially : to heat (an oven) to a designated temperature before using for cooking
preheater noun

Examples of preheat in a Sentence

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees before you put the roast in.
Recent Examples on the Web Follow air fryer directions for preheating to 390 degrees. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 27 Jan. 2024 Cook in an air fryer at 390 degrees for 20 minutes, or in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes, turning samosas over halfway through. Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 4 Feb. 2024 To bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Wini Moranville, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024 To make the gratin, preheat the oven to 375 degrees, then peel and soak your potatoes in water. Dan Lindbergand, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2024 When ready to bake a frozen meatloaf, remove the wrapping and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Kathy Moore and Roxanne Wyss, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024 During the last 15 minutes of the second rise, arrange a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat the oven to 365 degrees. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2024 Once lightly browned, place the filets in a baking dish, add the sauce and bake for a few minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees. Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2024 Instructions Step 1 Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325°F. Zella Palmer, Saveur, 3 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preheat.' 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

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preheat was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near preheat

Cite this Entry

“Preheat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preheat. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

preheat

verb
pre·​heat (ˈ)prē-ˈhēt How to pronounce preheat (audio)
: to heat beforehand
preheat the oven to 400 degrees

More from Merriam-Webster on preheat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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