furnace

[ fur-nis ]

noun

1. a structure or apparatus in which heat may be generated, as for heating houses, smelting ores, or producing steam.
2. a place characterized by intense heat:

   The volcano was a seething furnace.

3. Furnace, Astronomy. the constellation Fornax.

verb (used with object)

, fur·naced, fur·nac·ing.

1. to heat (a metal piece) in a furnace.

furnace

/ ˈfɜːnɪs /

noun

1. an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to generate steam, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc
2. a very hot or stifling place

Derived Forms

• ˈfurnace-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• furnace·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of furnace¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English furneis, furnais, from Old French fornais, fournais, from Latin fornāc- (stem of fornāx “kiln, oven”), akin to formus “warm”

Word History and Origins

Origin of furnace¹

C13: from Old French fornais , from Latin fornax oven, furnace; related to Latin formus warm

Example Sentences

Woods said the reactor is not intended to replace a heat pump or furnace but to store energy for use later.

From Science Daily

Tata has closed its two coal-fired blast furnaces and is to replace them with an electric furnace that will need fewer workers.

From BBC

“Everyone is hoping Trump’s in-law and Trump will rescue Lebanon from the furnace of Israel’s fire and iron.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Judging by the pre-election rhetoric … the Republican team is not going to send more and more American taxpayer money into the furnace of the proxy war against Russia,” he said.

From Salon

If you’re a heating and cooling contractor and a friend asks you about her furnace, you likely do the same.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boiler
• heater
• heating system
• incinerator
• kiln
• stove