- heat
- I UK [hiːt] / US [hɪt]
noun
Word forms "heat":
singular heat plural heats
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1) [singular/uncountable] the quality of being hot, or the degree to which something is hotThese paints can withstand heat up to 200 degrees.
heat of:The firefighters were driven back by the intense heat and smoke.
He could feel the heat of the sun on his back.
a) [only before noun] relating to heatinsulation to prevent heat loss
the heat haze shimmering over the sands
b) the heat very hot weatherThey were unable to work in the blistering heat.
the heat of the day (= the hottest part of the day):The local people get out of the city to escape the summer heat.
Only tourists were wandering about in the heat of the day.
c) the heat the amount of heat produced by an oven or a heating systemturn the heat up/down/on/off:Bring the mixture to the boil; then reduce the heat.
I turned the heat down a little.
d) the heat the place where the heat in an oven or on a hob comes fromTake the pan off the heat.
2) [uncountable] physics the energy that is produced when the temperature of something changesThese chemical processes generate a lot of heat.
3) [uncountable] the heating system in a buildingThe cottage had no heat or water.
4) [uncountable] strong and angry feelingstake the heat out of something:He felt the heat of my glare.
Professional counselling is one way of taking the heat out of getting a divorce.
5) [countable] a game or race at the start of a competition. The winners of the heats then compete against each other at the next stagethe second heat of the 800 metres
6) the heatinformal pressure and criticism intended to force someone to do what you wantput/keep the heat on (someone):Many producers are beginning to feel the heat from their larger customers.
We need to keep the heat on.
•if you can't stand/take the heat (get out of the kitchen)
— used for telling someone that they should not do something if they cannot deal with the difficult or unpleasant aspects of itin/during the heat of something
— at the busiest time, or during the most difficult part of somethingIn the heat of the debate, she forgot to be nervous.
- on heat
II UK [hiːt] / US [hɪt] verb
Word forms "heat":
present tense I/you/we/they heat he/she/it heats present participle heating past tense heated past participle heated
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a) heat or heat up[transitive] to make something hotHeat the oil gently in a large frying pan.
b) [intransitive] to become hotPhrasal verbs:Is the soup heating?
- heat up
English dictionary. 2014.