convection
/kənˈvek.ʃən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The movement of heat or another fluid through a liquid or gas. Warm parts rise, and cooler parts sink or move in their place.
- Convection carries warm air upward.
- Soup heats by convection.
Adinary Nuance
Convection is about movement through a fluid, like air or water. It is not the same as conduction, where heat passes through direct contact. It is also different from radiation, where heat travels without needing a medium. Writers choose convection when the moving air or liquid is the key idea.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đối lưu
- Spanish
- convección
- Chinese
- 对流
- Japanese
- 対流
- Korean
- 대류
Etymology
Convection comes from Latin convectio, meaning “a carrying together” or “a carrying.” It entered English in the 17th century, first in scientific use.
Common phrases
convection currentconvection heatconvection ovenconvection cell
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between convection and conduction?
- Convection moves heat by moving fluid. Conduction passes heat through direct touching.
- Is convection a common word in science writing?
- Yes. It is common in physics, chemistry, and weather writing.
- Can convection be used for air and water?
- Yes. It can describe heat movement in both air and water.