# ablator

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ablator
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a substance or device that removes something, like heat or a layer of material, by wearing it away.

For teachers: a substance or device that removes or wears away a material or heat through a physical or chemical process.

## Examples

- The heat shield uses an ablator to protect the spacecraft.
- Engineers tested a new ablator to see how well it could withstand the extreme temperatures of re-entry.
- In the context of thermal protection systems, the ablator is designed to sacrifice itself by sublimating or melting, thereby carrying away the heat energy from the underlying structure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.