preheat

verb

pre·​heat (ˌ)prē-ˈhēt How to pronounce preheat (audio)
preheated; preheating; preheats

transitive verb

: to heat (something) beforehand
especially : to heat (an oven) to a designated temperature before using for cooking
preheater noun

Examples of preheat in a Sentence

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees before you put the roast in.
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.
Save time by conveniently preheating and monitoring your oven from anywhere using the GE appliances kitchen app. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024 Place a grill pan on the stovetop over high heat or preheat a charcoal or gas grill. Georgeanne Brennan, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025 The only other real drawback is that the process does take more time and requires preheating the oven, but that extra bit of time and effort does pay off. Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2025 When oven is preheated, carefully transfer skillet to stovetop. Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preheat

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preheat was in 1898

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preheat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preheat. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

preheat

verb
pre·​heat (ˈ)prē-ˈhēt How to pronounce preheat (audio)
: to heat beforehand
preheat the oven to 400 degrees

More from Merriam-Webster on preheat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!