thermal
adj. · n.-
1 related to heat (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Sciencerelating to heat or temperature.
pertaining to heat, temperature, or the movement of heat energy.
ExampleThe scientists measured the thermal energy produced by the chemical reaction.
ExampleThe spacecraft was equipped with a specialized shield to withstand the extreme thermal stress of atmospheric reentry.
- caloric
- heat related
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2 keeping you warm (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatedesigned to keep you warm by trapping heat, especially clothes.
providing efficient thermal insulation to maintain body temperature in cold environments.
ExampleYou should wear thermal underwear if you are going skiing in the mountains.
ExampleThe hikers invested in high-quality thermal layers to ensure they remained warm during the overnight trek across the glacier.
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3 rising air (n.) C1 Advanced Technicala column of rising warm air that birds and gliders use to stay high in the sky.
a column of rising air in the lower atmosphere created by the uneven heating of the earth's surface.
ExampleThe eagle circled higher and higher as it caught a strong thermal.
ExampleThe glider pilot searched for a thermal over the sun-baked fields to gain enough altitude for the return journey.
- updraft
- convection current
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4 heat-sensing camera (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Militarya type of camera or sensor that sees heat instead of light.
an infrared imaging device or sensor used to detect heat signatures, often in low-visibility conditions.
ExampleThe rescue team used a thermal to find the lost hikers in the dark woods.
ExampleThe surveillance drone was equipped with a high-resolution thermal to detect movement through the dense forest canopy at night.
- infrared
- FLIR
From French thermal, from New Latin thermalis, from Ancient Greek θέρμη (thérmē, “heat”), from Proto-Indo-European gʷʰer- (“to heat, warm”).
- Adjectivegeothermal
- Adjectivethermal