heat

Topic: FOOD

Language:	Old English
Origin:	hætu

heat
1 noun

heat1 S2 W2 See pronunciation table in "How to use dictionary" pages

warmth

[uncountable] warmth or the quality of being hot:

Look up a word starting with D or S for samples of headword or sentence pronunciations on the LDOCE CD-ROM

Ice needs heat to melt.

Insulating the attic is a good way to reduce heat loss.

2DN

the heat

very hot weather or a high temperature:

The heat was making them tired.

Angela liked to rest during the heat of the day (=the hottest part of the day).

Firefighters were beaten back by the intense heat.

in cooking

[countable usually singular, uncountable]DFDH the level of temperature used when cooking or heating something

(a) low/medium/high heat

Cook the chicken portions over a high heat.

turn off/down/up the heat

When the milk comes to the boil, turn off the heat.

Now reduce the heat and cover the pan.

strong feelings

[uncountable] strong feelings, especially anger or excitement:

Reconciliation services can take the heat out of (=reduce the anger in) the dispute.

in the heat of something

Quick decisions had to be made in the heat of the negotiations.

In the heat of the moment (=when feelings were very strong) Nick threatened to resign.

pressure

[uncountable] strong pressure on someone:

The heat is on (=there is a lot of pressure) as schools struggle to finish their entries by the deadline.

The team turned up the heat (=used more effort against their opponents) in the last few minutes to score two more goals.

There was a lot of heat, and it affected our relationship.

system to heat building

[uncountable] American EnglishDHTP the system in a house or other building that keeps it warm in the winter, or the warmth from this system [= heating British English]

Can you turn up the heat?

in a race

[countable]DS a part of a race or competition whose winners then compete against each other in the next part:

Bill finished second in his heat.

on heat

British English in heat American EnglishHBADHP if a female animal is on heat, her body is ready to have sex with a male

➔ dead heat , white heat

; ➔ if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen

at stand1 (16)

Definition of heat from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic FOOD