noun
heat
A preliminary round in a race or competition.
The runner wins her heat and advances to the final.
Etymology
The contest sense developed from a bout of exertion that heated the participants. It came to name one race in a sequence used to determine later competitors.
More examples
- Three heats were held before lunch.
- He qualified from the second heat.
- The swimmers waited for their heat to be called.
Forms
heat · heats
Similar words
- qualifier
- A contest used to determine advancement, not necessarily a racing heat.