convection

[ kuhn-vek-shuhn ]

noun

1. Physics. the transfer of heat by the circulation or movement of the heated parts of a liquid or gas.
2. Meteorology. the vertical transport of atmospheric properties, especially upward ( advection ).
3. the act of conveying or transmitting.

convection

/ kənˈvɛkʃən /

noun

1. a process of heat transfer through a gas or liquid by bulk motion of hotter material into a cooler region Compare conduction
2. meteorol the process by which masses of relatively warm air are raised into the atmosphere, often cooling and forming clouds, with compensatory downward movements of cooler air
3. geology the slow circulation of subcrustal material, thought to be the mechanism by which tectonic plates are moved

convection

/ kən-vĕk′shən /

1. Current in a fluid caused by uneven distribution of heat. For example, air on a part of the Earth's surface warmed by strong sunlight will be heated by contact with the ground and will expand and flow upward, creating a region of low pressure below it; cooler surrounding air will then flow in to this low pressure region. The air thus circulates by convection, creating winds.
2. See Note at conduction

convection

1. The motion of warm material that rises, cools off, and sinks again, producing a continuous circulation of material and transfer of heat . Some examples of processes involving convection are boiling water, in which heat is transferred from the stove to the air; the circulation of the atmosphere of the Earth , transferring heat from the equator to the North Pole and South Pole ; and plate tectonics , in which heat is transferred from the interior of the Earth to its surface.

Derived Forms

• conˈvective, adjective
• conˈvectional, adjective

Other Words From

• con·vection·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of convection¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Late Latin convectiōn-, stem of convectiō “a bringing together”; equivalent to convect + -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of convection¹

C19: from Late Latin convectiō a bringing together, from Latin convehere to bring together, gather, from vehere to bear, carry

Example Sentences

The mountains trap hot air and circulate the heat like a convection oven.

From Los Angeles Times

During the visit to Bush’s Corona showroom, a handful of prospective customers perused neat aisles of mostly stainless steel equipment gleaming under florescent lights: refrigerators, convection ovens, steam kettles, fryers, griddles, blast freezers, ice machines, stoves, broilers, mixers, coffee makers, dishware, utensils, tables, chairs, and more.

From Los Angeles Times

Bush, for example, recently listed a Montague Co. convection oven for $9,500 — far below its original price of roughly $21,000.

From Los Angeles Times

"Yes, more water vapor in the air can foster stronger convection, but a tornado is a very local feature and requires a very specific set of meteorological conditions, such as the right wind shear."

From Salon

The analysis revealed that a type of convection similar to what is seen on Earth helps maintain Jupiter's storms, which can be thousands of miles wide and last for years.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• deportation
• relocation
• removal
• transmission