specific heat

noun

: the heat in calories required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance one degree Celsius

Examples of specific heat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most states have no specific heat safety rules, leaving protections largely up to individual employers. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Bread ovens are also designed for the specific heat dynamics of baking bread. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026

These first images were taken from low-Earth orbit, as the satellite used its multi-band infrared (IR) instrument to scan the landscape for specific heat signatures that could be indicative of wildfires. — Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 June 2025

While air temperature starts to increase in June, water temperature typically lags because of the higher specific heat of water. — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

Other research into specific heat waves have come to similar conclusions. — Andrew Freedman, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024

To have gotten myself to get there for that specific heat was special. — Anna Dimond, Outside Online, 3 Oct. 2024

Objects with large surface areas and smaller masses have lower specific heats. — Anil Oza, TIME, 18 June 2024

However, there were a couple of missing features typically found in slow cookers at a slightly higher price such as an indicator light to confirm the appliance—or specific heat setting—is on. — Deanne Revel, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for specific heat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

specific heat

noun

: the heat in calories required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance one degree Celsius

Medical Definition

specific heat

noun

1

: the ratio of the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a body one degree to that required to raise the temperature of an equal mass of water one degree

2

: the heat in calories required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance one degree Celsius