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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Your air fryer will preheat in less than half the time of your regular oven and then can put two salmon fillets or chicken breasts along with some vegetables in there and have dinner for two ready—stat. Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025 Melt coconut oil and olive oil blend in 6-cup casserole in preheating oven. Faye Levy, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025 Never heat an empty pan: Always add food or oil to protect the pan and absorb some of the heat when preheating. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025 Be sure to preheat your pan on medium heat to warm the steel so food won’t stick. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for preheat

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preheat was in 1898

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preheat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preheat. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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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