heat unit
nounUK /hiːt ˈjuːnɪt/
US /hiːt ˈjuːnɪt/
A heat unit is a way to measure how much warmth or heat energy something has.
Scientists use a heat unit to measure the warmth given off by the sun.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A unit used in agriculture to measure the amount of warmth plants receive over time, helping farmers predict when crops will grow or ripen.
The farmer tracked the heat units to know when the corn would be ready to harvest.
3. A unit of measurement for the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a certain amount of water.
One heat unit can raise the temperature of a small amount of water by one degree.
4. A term used in heating and cooling systems to describe a measure of thermal energy used or produced.
The heater's output was rated in heat units per hour.