heat-treat

[ heet-treet ]

verb (used with object)

1. to subject (a metal or alloy) to controlled heating and cooling to improve hardness or other properties.

heat-treat

verb

1. tr to apply heat to (a metal or alloy) in one or more temperature cycles to give it desirable properties

Derived Forms

• heat treatment, noun

Other Words From

• heat treatment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heat-treat¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

While consumers can also attempt to heat-treat raw flour at home, this isn't recommended because the flour may not be spread thinly enough to kill all of the microorganisms.

From Salon

She signed her name on the bid sheet to become a heat-treat operator, even though no woman had ever lasted in that department before.

From New York Times

Heat-treat operators were an elite group, like samurai warriors and Navy SEALs.

From New York Times

Heat-treat operators earned $25 an hour, more money than she’d ever earned in her life.

From New York Times

She flirted with the union president and wore revealing shirts into the heat-treat department.

From New York Times