stove

noun \ ˈstōv \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of stove

1 a : a portable or fixed apparatus that burns fuel or uses electricity to provide heat (as for cooking or heating)

b : a device that generates heat for special purposes (as for heating tools or heating air for a hot blast)

c : kiln

2 chiefly British : a hothouse especially for the cultivation of tropical exotics; broadly : greenhouse

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See stove defined for kids

Examples of stove in a Sentence

She put the pan on the stove over medium heat.
I cooked the burgers on the stove.

Recent Examples of stove from the Web

Reheat leftovers on the stove, in the oven or in the microwave until the food is nice and hot, with an internal temperature of at least 75 degrees.

— NBC News, "A guide to leftovers: How to store them safely and when to toss them," 23 Apr. 2018
Photos by Tim Hall Photography, courtesy of This Moving House A small kitchen includes a two-burner stove top, a copper faucet and sink, a micro-oven, a 12-volt fridge, and a bit of light blue counter space.

— megan barber, Curbed, "Cozy camper van boasts a hidden pull-out guest bed," 18 Apr. 2018
Inside the 16-foot, seven-inch-long trailer, there’s room to sleep two, a two-burner stove, a fridge, a microwave, and a bathroom with a shower.

— paul brady, Condé Nast Traveler, "Airstream's New 'Nest' Looks Nothing Like an Airstream," 12 Apr. 2018
The homes are built to accommodate wheelchairs with features including wider halls and doors, automatic door openers and roll-under sinks, stove tops and counters.

— jerry fallstrom, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Soldier who lost leg grateful for new specially adapted home in 'life-changing day'," 11 Apr. 2018
Club activities include cooking on a wood-burning stove, dying fabric, soap making, cabin building and pond study.

— karie angell luc, chicagotribune.com, "New Kennicott Girls Club combines pioneer history and STEM concepts," 10 Apr. 2018
Just be sure to keep the jar away from steaming stoves, food, and anything else that can introduce bacteria.

— aliza abarbanel, Bon Appetit, "What Is Ghee, the Clarified Butter We Could Eat by the Spoon?," 5 Apr. 2018
The kitchen has both an electric and gas stove top, because Judy needed the gas option for canning.

— emma kate fittes, Indianapolis Star, "Hot Property: Inside a $750K Indianapolis home," 30 Mar. 2018
Schwartz wondered whether the stove had ever been gas.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Grandma had moved, but stranger invited him in to watch KU in NCAA Tournament | The Kansas City Star," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stove.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of stove

Middle English (Scots), heated room, steam bath, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German, from Vulgar Latin *extufa, ultimately from Latin ex- + Greek typhein to smoke — more at deaf

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1618

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

stove

Definition of stove

past tense and past participle of stave

STOVE Defined for English Language Learners

stove

noun

Definition of stove for English Language Learners

: a flat piece of kitchen equipment for cooking that usually has four devices (called burners) which become hot when they are turned on and that often is attached to an oven
: a device that burns fuel for heating or cooking
: an oven or furnace that is used for hardening, burning, or drying something (such as pottery)