convection

[kuh n-vek-shuh n] /kənˈvɛk ʃən/
noun
1.
Physics. the transfer of heat by the circulation or movement of the heated parts of a liquid or gas.
2.
Meteorology. the vertical transport of atmospheric properties, especially upward (distinguished from advection).
3.
the act of conveying or transmitting.
Origin
1615-25; < Late Latin convectiōn- (stem of convectiō) a bringing together. See convect, -ion
Related forms
convectional, adjective
Examples from the web for convection
  • They also include fully equipped kitchens complete with cook tops, convection ovens, dishwashers and refrigerators.
  • The suites also have full kitchens, with microwaves, convection ovens and refrigerators.
  • Rooms that feature kitchens come with granite countertops and convection ovens.
  • Sunspots are visible because the bundled field lines impede the flow of convection.
  • The flow makes its return trip to the equator through the convection zone, the outermost layer of the sun's interior.
  • Ceramic heaters are convection heaters with a ceramic insulated heating element.
  • Natural convection occurs when a warm object is placed in a still body of cool fluid or gas.
  • The convection occurs as hot plasma rises from below, radiates away its heat, and sinks into the sun again as it cools.
  • At its border with the stratosphere, temperature begins to rise and convection essentially stops.
  • Solar heating lowered relative humidities in the cloud layer through late afternoon, and stronger convection arose after sunset.
British Dictionary definitions for convection

convection

/kənˈvɛkʃən/
noun
1.
a process of heat transfer through a gas or liquid by bulk motion of hotter material into a cooler region Compare conduction (sense 1)
2.
(meteorol) the process by which masses of relatively warm air are raised into the atmosphere, often cooling and forming clouds, with compensatory downward movements of cooler air
3.
(geology) the slow circulation of subcrustal material, thought to be the mechanism by which tectonic plates are moved
Derived Forms
convectional, adjective
convective, adjective
Word Origin
C19: from Late Latin convectiō a bringing together, from Latin convehere to bring together, gather, from vehere to bear, carry
Word Origin and History for convection
n.

1620s, from Latin convectionem (nominative convectio) "the act of carrying," noun of action from past participle stem of convehere "to carry together," from com- "together" (see com-) + vehere "to carry" (see vehicle). Related: Convective. Convection current recorded from 1868.

convection in Medicine

convection con·vec·tion (kən-věk'shən)
n.

  1. Heat transfer in a gas or liquid by the circulation of currents from one region to another.

  2. Fluid motion caused by an external force such as gravity.

convection in Science
convection
  (kən-věk'shən)   
Current in a fluid caused by uneven distribution of heat. For example, air on a part of the Earth's surface warmed by strong sunlight will be heated by contact with the ground and will expand and flow upward, creating a region of low pressure below it; cooler surrounding air will then flow in to this low pressure region. The air thus circulates by convection, creating winds. See Note at conduction.
convection in Culture

convection definition


The motion of warm material that rises, cools off, and sinks again, producing a continuous circulation of material and transfer of heat. Some examples of processes involving convection are boiling water, in which heat is transferred from the stove to the air; the circulation of the atmosphere of the Earth, transferring heat from the equator to the North Pole and South Pole; and plate tectonics, in which heat is transferred from the interior of the Earth to its surface.