convector

IPA/kənˈvektə(r)/
IPA/kənˈvektər/

convector — noun

  • convectorsingular
  • convectorsplural

1. A room heater that pulls in cool air at the bottom, warms it by passing it over

1.nounC1
Definition

A room heater that pulls in cool air at the bottom, warms it by passing it over a hot surface inside, and pushes the warm air out at the top.

Example

Ananya switched on the bedroom convector before getting into bed on the cold night.

collocation: switch on a convector

Dimitri held his frozen hands above the convector to warm them.

Common collocations
  • electric convector
  • wall-mounted convector
  • turn on a convector
  • switch off the convector
  • a convector heater
Synonyms
  • convection heater

    more widely understood and used; the full form of the same word

  • space heater

    broader term for any portable room heater (more common in American English)

  • radiator

    often used loosely for any room heater, though a true radiator gives off radiant heat rather than warmed air

Usage Note

Common in British English. American speakers more often say 'space heater' or 'convection heater' for the same appliance.

Common Mistakes

We bought a new converter for the bedroom.' (when meaning a heater).
We bought a new convector for the bedroom.
A converter changes one thing into another (like voltage); a convector is a heating device.

Word family

  • convection
    nounC1
  • convect
    verbC2
  • convective
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A convector warms a room by drawing in cool air, heating it over an internal element, and releasing it — the air moves naturally as it warms. A convection heater is simply the longer, more common name for the same device. A radiator, by contrast, gives off heat directly from its hot surface without relying on air circulation; people often use 'radiator' loosely for any wall-mounted heater. A space heater is a broad category term covering any portable device that heats a single room — convectors are one type. A fan heater also blows warm air, but it uses a powered fan to push the air out, making it noisier and faster than a convector, which works silently through natural circulation.

convection heaterradiator ↗space heaterfan heater

Common collocations

Nouns

  • convector heater
  • convector panel
  • electric convector
  • wall-mounted convector

Phrases

  • turn on the convector
  • switch off the convector
  • have a convector installed

Prepositions

  • above a convector
  • in front of the convector
  • next to the convector

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed in English from the verb convect (to transfer heat by the movement of warmed air or liquid) and the agent suffix -or, meaning 'a thing that does this.' The root is Latin convehere, 'to carry together,' from con- ('together') and vehere ('to carry'). The word entered everyday use in the early 20th century as electric convection heaters became common in homes.