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

Backed up Honeywell technology, this smart thermostat is compatible with Alexa, giving you the option for voice controls for plenty of convenience! — George Yang, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026

The thermostat in this case is the bond market, working to offset the blistering demand for debt from governments and companies by raising borrowing costs to multiyear highs. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

One thermostat function that many people completely ignore is the fan setting. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 24 Aug. 2026

That recommendation puts the average 70°F thermostat setting into perspective. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 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