noun
heat
HEET
noun
1
The energy or sensation of high temperature; warmth.
"The heat from the oven filled the whole kitchen."
"We couldn't stand the heat of the midday sun."
2
Strong or intense emotion, especially anger or excitement.
"In the heat of the argument, he said things he didn't mean."
3
A qualifying round in a race or competition.
"She qualified for the final after winning her heat."
4
Informal: intense pressure or scrutiny, especially from police or authorities.
"After the robbery, the gang felt the heat from local police."
verb
1
To make something hot or warm.
"Heat the soup gently before serving."
"The room heats up quickly once the sun comes through the window."
How to Use Heat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWarmth or high temperature — and, informally, intense pressure, emotion, or a race round.
Common pairings
heat up
in the heat of the moment
feel the heat
a qualifying heat
Word Forms
heated past tense, heat past tense, het past tense, heats plural, heats singular
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Etymology
From Old English hǣtu, an ancient Germanic word for warmth, related to "hot."