convection

noun

con·​vec·​tion kən-ˈvek-shən 

1

: the action or process of conveying

2

a

: movement in a gas or liquid in which the warmer parts move up and the cooler parts move down

convection currents

b

: the transfer of heat by convection

foods cooked by convection

compare conduction, radiation

convectional

kən-ˈvek-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of convection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This action creates a convection effect that mimics a deep fryer to crisp and brown your food. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025

Larger building blocks would also make the supercontinents more rigid, keeping them separate from mantle convection, or movement of materials in that layer due to heat transfer. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025

Not when this appliance has eight functions in total, including convection bake, convection broil, warm, toast, and grill. —Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025

Beneath the surface is the sun’s convection zone, in which dense plasma swirls around, rather like the magma in Earth’s mantle. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin convection-, convectio, from Latin convehere to bring together, from com- + vehere to carry — more at way

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing convection

• convection oven

Kids Definition

convection

noun

con·​vec·​tion kən-ˈvek-shən 

: motion in a gas or liquid in which the warmer portions rise and the colder portions sink

also : the transfer of heat by this motion

convectional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

convective

-ˈvek-tiv

adjective

Medical Definition

convection

noun

con·​vec·​tion kən-ˈvek-shən 

1

: the circulatory motion that occurs in a fluid at a nonuniform temperature owing to the variation of its density and the action of gravity

2

: the transfer of heat by convection in a fluid

convectional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

convective

-ˈvek-tiv 

adjective