thermostat

1 of 2

noun

ther·​mo·​stat ˈthər-mə-ˌstat How to pronounce thermostat (audio)
: an automatic device for regulating temperature (as by controlling the supply of gas or electricity to a heating apparatus)
also : a similar device for actuating fire alarms or for controlling automatic sprinklers
thermostatic adjective
thermostatically adverb

thermostat

2 of 2

verb

thermostated ˈthər-mə-ˌsta-təd How to pronounce thermostat (audio) also thermostatted; thermostating also thermostatting

transitive verb

: to provide with or control the temperature of by a thermostat

Examples of thermostat in a Sentence

Noun I set the thermostat to 68 degrees.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
My lab created Merlin, which learns how people use energy in their homes and adjust energy controls like thermostats to meet their needs while at the same time minimizing the impact on the grid. Zoltan Nagy, Discover Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024 Once weather turns cool, program the thermostat to keep the house to a consistent energy-efficient temperature. Marni Jameson, arkansasonline.com, 28 Sep. 2024 Dropping temperatures can actually make your produce taste sweeter, as root crops develop more sugars when the thermostat drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 24 Sep. 2024 By the middle of the week, the thermostat is expected to dip into the more seasonal 80s. Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for thermostat 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

thermo- + -stat

First Known Use

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thermostat was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near thermostat

Cite this Entry

“Thermostat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thermostat. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

thermostat

noun
ther·​mo·​stat
ˈthər-mə-ˌstat
: a device that automatically controls temperature
thermostatic
ˌthər-mə-ˈstat-ik
adjective
thermostatically
-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

thermostat

1 of 2 noun
ther·​mo·​stat ˈthər-mə-ˌstat How to pronounce thermostat (audio)
1
: an automatic device for regulating temperature (as by controlling the supply of gas or electricity to a heating apparatus)
2
: a piece of apparatus (as a constant-temperature chamber) regulated by a thermostat
thermostatic adjective
thermostatically adverb

thermostat

2 of 2 transitive verb
thermostated -ˌstat-əd How to pronounce thermostat (audio) or thermostatted; thermostating or thermostatting
: to provide with or control the temperature of by a thermostat
a thermostated centrifuge

More from Merriam-Webster on thermostat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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