being hot / temperature
1 [U,sing.] the quality of being hot:
He could feel the heat of the sun on his back. * Heat rises. * The fire gave out a fierce heat.
seealsoWHITEHEAT
2 [U,C,usually sing.] the level of temperature:
to increase / reduce the heat * Test the heat of the water before getting in. * Set the oven to a low / high / moderate heat.
seealsoBLOODHEAT
3 [U] hot weather; the hot conditions in a building/vehicle, etc:
You should not go out in the heat of the day (= at the hottest time). * to suffer from the heat * the afternoon / midday heat * The heat in the factory was unbearable.
for cooking
4 [U] a source of heat, especially one that you cook food on:
Return the pan to the heat and stir. * Simmer the soup for 10 minutes then remove from the heat.
in building / room
5 [U] (especially AmE) = HEATING:
The heat wasn't on and the house was freezing.
strong feelings
6 [U] strong feelings, especially of anger or excitement:
'No, I won't,' he said with heat in his voice. * The chairman tried to take the heat out of the situation (= to make people calmer). * In the heat of the moment she forgot what she wanted to say (= because she was so angry or excited). * In the heat of the argument he said a lot of things he regretted later.
pressure
7 [U] pressure on sb to do or achieve sth:
The heat is on now that the election is only a week away. * Leeds United turned up the heat on their opponents with a second goal. * Can she take the heat of this level of competition?
race
8 [C] one of a series of races or competitions, the winners of which then compete against each other in the next part of the competition:
a qualifying heat * She won her heat. * He did well in the heats; hopefully he'll do as well in the final.
seealsoDEADHEAT
IDIOMS
if you can't stand the heat (get out of the kitchen) (informal) used to tell sb to stop trying to do sth if they find it too difficult, especially in order to suggest that they are less able than other people
be on heat (BrE) (AmE be in heat) (of a female mammal) to be in a sexual condition ready for MATING
verb to make sth hot or warm; to become hot or warm:
[VN] Heat the oil and add the onions. * The system produced enough energy to heat several thousand homes. [also V]
PHRASALVERBS
heat up
1 to become hot or warm:
The oven takes a while to heat up.
2 (especially AmE) = HOTUP:
The election contest is heating up.
heat sth<->up to make sth hot or warm:
Just heat up the food in the microwave.
