preheat

verb

pre·​heat (ˌ)prē-ˈhēt 

preheated; preheating; preheats

transitive verb

: to heat (something) beforehand

especially : to heat (an oven) to a designated temperature before using for cooking

preheater noun

Examples of preheat in a Sentence

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees before you put the roast in.

Recent Examples on the Web

The next morning, preheat a nonstick cooking pan over medium heat on the stove. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 10 May 2025

First, the tea set is rinsed and preheated with hot water, then the leaves are placed in the tea pot or steeping vessel for a short period of time—just until the subtle flavors of the tea bloom—before the brew is decanted into a pitcher. —Jasmine Ting, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025

For example, the panel can slow down the use from the EV charger while the oven is preheating, and while also considering other appliances in the home. —Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Break out the calculators, preheat the oven, and get ready to celebrate 3.14 in the most delicious way possible. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preheat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

preheat

verb

pre·​heat (ˈ)prē-ˈhēt 

: to heat beforehand

preheat the oven to 400 degrees