convection
UK: kənˈvekʃən | US: kənˈvekʃən
n. the movement caused within a fluid by the tendency of hotter, less dense material to rise and colder, denser material to sink
n. (meteorology) the vertical transfer of heat or moisture in the atmosphere
n. (physics) heat transfer through fluid motion
The word "convection" originates from Latin convectio (a carrying together), derived from convehere (to carry together). The morpheme con- (together) combines with vect- (from vehere, meaning "to carry"), reflecting the process of heat or mass being "carried together" through fluid motion. The suffix -ion nominalizes the action. This logical progression—from physical movement to specialized scientific concepts—mirrors its adoption into English (mid-19th century) to describe thermodynamic and atmospheric phenomena.
Convection currents in the mantle drive tectonic plate movements.
The oven uses convection to distribute heat evenly.
Thunderstorms form due to strong atmospheric convection.
Ocean convection plays a key role in regulating Earth’s climate.
Engineers optimized the radiator’s design to enhance convection.