heater

[ hee-ter ]

noun

1. any of various apparatus for heating, especially for heating water or the air in a room.
2. Electronics. the element of a vacuum tube that carries the current for heating a cathode.
3. Slang. a pistol, revolver, or other firearm.

heater

/ ˈhiːtə /

noun

1. any device for supplying heat, such as a hot-air blower, radiator, convector, etc
2. slang.
   a pistol
3. electronics a conductor carrying a current that indirectly heats the cathode in some types of valve

Other Words From

• re·heater noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heater¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; heat + -er ¹

Example Sentences

“That’s the number one culprit. I think they’re just bullying him with the heater.”

From Los Angeles Times

“That with 3-2 and the bases loaded, I have to throw a curveball now instead of a heater,” Buehler said.

From Los Angeles Times

But after Ohtani dug back in, Cease challenged him with an elevated heater, similar to the one that induced a flyout in Ohtani’s first at-bat.

From Los Angeles Times

Alex Vesia’s fastball velocity wavered at times — he averaged 93.4 mph with his heater, down from his 94.4-mph average in 2023 — but the left-hander went 5-4 with a 1.76 ERA and five saves in 67 games, striking out 87 and walking 33 in 66 ⅓ innings and holding hitters to a .148 average and .551 OPS.

From Los Angeles Times

But the 37-year-old right-hander can still run his fastball up to 95 mph, and he combined his heater with an 85-mph slider to allow only five earned runs and 12 hits in 16 ⅓ innings of his last 17 games for a 2.76 ERA.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boiler
• fastball
• furnace
• oven
• radiator
• stove