Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

thermoelectricity

noun
ther·​mo·​elec·​tric·​i·​ty | \ ˌthər-mō-i-ˌlek-ˈtri-sə-tē How to pronounce thermoelectricity (audio) , -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)

Examples of thermoelectricity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on 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.

First Known Use of thermoelectricity

1823, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about thermoelectricity

Share thermoelectricity

Statistics for thermoelectricity

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for thermoelectricity

The first known use of thermoelectricity was in 1823

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on thermoelectricity

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thermoelectricity

Comments on thermoelectricity

What made you want to look up thermoelectricity? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

decoct

Listen to the pronounciation of decoct

to boil down or concentrate

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

  • rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor
  • Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games