heat sink

noun

: a substance or device that absorbs or dissipates especially unwanted heat (as from a process or an electronic device)

Examples of heat sink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An offshore, closed-cycle OTEC system requires a heat source and a heat sink. — IEEE Spectrum, 10 Sep. 2026 Dense, cold lead sinks while hot lead rises, setting up natural convection loops that carry decay heat away to external heat sinks without electrical pumps or emergency generators. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 For decades, oceans have acted as the planet’s main heat sink, absorbing 90% of the excess heat produced by humans burning fossil fuels. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 The One features an anodized aluminum heat sink, bracket, and lanyard loop. — Justyn Newman, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for heat sink

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heat sink was in 1936

Rhymes for heat sink

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Browse Nearby Words

heat shock protein
heat sink
heatstroke
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Cite this Entry

“Heat sink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heat%20sink. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heat sink

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heat sink

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