thermoelectricity

noun ther·mo·elec·tric·i·ty \ ˌthər-mō-i-ˌlek-ˈtri-sə-tē , -ˈtri-stē \

Definition of thermoelectricity

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

Recent Examples of thermoelectricity from the Web

Another idea is creating electricity through thermoelectricity, converting variations in temperature into electric voltage.

— alex davies, WIRED, "Goodyear Is Trying to Make an Electricity-Generating Tire," 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, "Is This New Material a Game Changer for Thermoelectricity?," 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.