heat up
phrasal verb
heated up; heating up; heats up
1
: to become warm or hot
The morning started out cold but it heated up quickly.
2
: to become more active, intense, or angry
Their conversation started to heat up.
Competition between the two companies is heating up.
3
heat (something) up
or heat up (something)
: to cause (something) to become warm or hot
Could you heat up the vegetables, please?
Examples of heat up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Add these to your watch lists for next year — or heat up that cocoa (no eggnog for me, please) and keep the festivities going.
—
Ew Staff, EW.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Lutron lighting illuminates every room of the home, and a massive stone wall houses a fireplace that heats up the combination living and dining areas.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 24 Dec. 2024
Its Prepared & Ready meals, which are available through a separate subscription, are even easier to put together (most just need a few minutes to heat up).
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
Daytime highs above freezing at the mountain bases weren’t helping the season get off the ground though, and the warm, sunny weather hinted at the long-term struggles ski resorts face as the climate changes and winters continue to heat up in many places.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heat up 
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Ew Staff, EW.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Lutron lighting illuminates every room of the home, and a massive stone wall houses a fireplace that heats up the combination living and dining areas.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 24 Dec. 2024
Its Prepared & Ready meals, which are available through a separate subscription, are even easier to put together (most just need a few minutes to heat up).
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
Daytime highs above freezing at the mountain bases weren’t helping the season get off the ground though, and the warm, sunny weather hinted at the long-term struggles ski resorts face as the climate changes and winters continue to heat up in many places.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heat up
Dictionary Entries Near heat up
Cite this Entry
“Heat up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20up. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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