rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryconvectionHeat transfer by fluid movement
noun

convection

kuhn-VEK-shuhn/kənˈvekʃn/

Transfer of heat through the movement of a liquid or gas.

Convection carries heat upward as warmer liquid rises in the pot.

A glass pot heating above a flame, translucent red rising current in center and blue sinking currents at sides, subtle arrowheads, no labels.
Etymology
conLatintogether, with
+vectLatinto carry
+ionLatinact or process

The pieces express an act of carrying together. The earlier general meaning of carrying or conveying became a technical term for heat carried by the movement of the heated fluid itself.

In context

Ellis Brigham47:39
daytime heating where you get some thermals going up in the heat of the summer sun um it's the landbased convection that drives showers through the summer part of the year.
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More examples

  • A fan speeds up convection by circulating hot air around the food.
  • Convection transfers heat through the soup as it simmers.
  • The engineer studies convection to improve the engine's cooling system.

Forms

convection

convective adjective — Involving heat transfer through moving fluids.

Similar words

heat transfer
A broader term that also includes conduction and radiation.