thermostat

1 of 2

noun

ther·​mo·​stat ˈthər-mə-ˌstat 

: an automatic device for regulating temperature (as by controlling the supply of gas or electricity to a heating apparatus)

also : a similar device for actuating fire alarms or for controlling automatic sprinklers

thermostatic

ˌthər-mə-ˈsta-tik 

adjective

thermostatically

ˌthər-mə-ˈsta-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

thermostat

2 of 2

verb

thermostated ˈthər-mə-ˌsta-təd  also thermostatted; thermostating also thermostatting

transitive verb

: to provide with or control the temperature of by a thermostat

Examples of thermostat in a Sentence

Noun

I set the thermostat to 68 degrees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The thermostat isn’t in every room Remember that a hallway thermostat may not reflect the temperature in an upstairs room, or one facing the sun. — Destenie Nock, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

The region is at risk of stronger, wetter storms due to climate change, the same force that’s cranking the thermostat on the marine environment and cooking the weaker corals. — Alex Harris july 22, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Setting your thermostat back even one degree can save money on your cooling bill. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 July 2026

There is never a wrong time to figure out if your thermostat is causing problems for the comfort and efficiency of the home—even after it has been installed for several years. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

thermo- + -stat

First Known Use

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for thermostat

• acrobat
• autocrat
• automat
• bundesrat
• bureaucrat
• butterfat
• caveat
• chemostat
• copycat
• cryostat
• democrat
• diplomat

Kids Definition

thermostat

noun

ther·​mo·​stat

ˈthər-mə-ˌstat

: a device that automatically controls temperature

thermostatic

ˌthər-mə-ˈstat-ik

adjective

thermostatically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

thermostat

1 of 2 noun

ther·​mo·​stat ˈthər-mə-ˌstat 

1

: an automatic device for regulating temperature (as by controlling the supply of gas or electricity to a heating apparatus)

2

: a piece of apparatus (as a constant-temperature chamber) regulated by a thermostat

thermostatic

ˌthər-mə-ˈstat-ik 

adjective

thermostatically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

thermostat

2 of 2 transitive verb

thermostated -ˌstat-əd  or thermostatted; thermostating or thermostatting

: to provide with or control the temperature of by a thermostat

a thermostated centrifuge