thermoelectricity

noun

ther·mo·elec·tric·i·ty ˌthər-mō-i-ˌlek-ˈtri-sə-tē

-ˈtri-stē

: electricity produced by the direct action of heat (as by the unequal heating of a circuit composed of two dissimilar metals)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Another idea is creating electricity through thermoelectricity, converting variations in temperature into electric voltage. —

Alex Davies, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2015 Thermoelectricity—or electricity produced through temperature differences—originated in 1821 when Thomas Seebeck and Jean Peltier discovered the conversion of heat to electricity. —

Kristen A. Schmitt, Smithsonian, 10 Apr. 2017

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

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of thermoelectricity was in 1823

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near thermoelectricity

thermoelectric inversion

thermoelectricity

thermoelectric power

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Thermoelectricity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thermoelectricity. Accessed 7 Feb. 2023.

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