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.
Safety systems on the micro-reactor use ambient air as the final heat sink instead of large bodies of water. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 The material that fills the gaps between the dies is about 100 times as thermally resistant as the silicon substrate, keeping heat from flowing upward to where the processor-package’s heat sink can remove it. — IEEE Spectrum, 8 July 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heat sink

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heat sink

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