thermal energy

American

[thur-muhl en-er-jee] / ˈθɜr məl ˈɛn ər dʒi /

noun

Physics.

the energy of a body or system that is directly related to its temperature.

In a steam turbine, the thermal energy of the water vapor transforms into the mechanical power of the turbine.

Etymology

Origin of thermal energy

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Traditional heat engines, such as internal combustion engines and steam turbines, operate by turning thermal energy into mechanical motion, or simply converting heat into movement.

From Science Daily

This approach allows scientists to estimate the thermal energy of the intracluster medium:the gas existing between the galaxies of a given cluster.

From Science Daily

"This challenge was a wake-up call. Now we have woken up," he added, promising more solar and thermal energy projects.

From BBC

They can be used to transfer thermal energy, such as from the sun or alternating currents, into mechanical energy that can be stored and used on demand.

From Science Daily

Earlier this month, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said its thermal energy plants suffered “significant damage”, resulting in blackouts.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023