furnace

USAGE SUMMARY

"furnace" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a heating device for supplying warmth, hot water, or steam, such as one powered by electricity, gas, oil, etc. For example: "The furnace had broken down and we had to replace it before winter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The furnace – where white, sandy pellets are melted to form clear glass – runs at 1,200C.

The Guardian - Money

Layton dips what is known as the "punty" iron – a long iron rod – into the furnace and "gathers" some molten glass on the end.

The Guardian - Money

A large flat disk which must have been sitting in a hot furnace was placed on top of my dessert.

The Guardian

But the bank's outstanding loans (worth $20.6 billion) are equivalent to only 0.6% of China's foreign-exchange reserves.In this section The bees get busy Stoking the furnace The rigging unravels ReprintsThe China 2030 report was, however, jointly produced with a government think-tank, the Development Research Centre, which advises China's cabinet.

The Economist

Djibouti has signed a deal with Iceland to build a geothermal plant near the Dantean furnace of Lake Assal, the continent's lowest point.

The Economist

Yet Mr Aycock says the blast furnace can deal with a weakness that could become critical as the firm grows.

The Economist

The pundits have a name for it already: the "information furnace".

The Economist

VAN NUYS, according to Robert Redford, who grew up there, "was just this furnace that could destroy any creative thought that managed to creep into your mind".

The Economist

Once finished, the solidified shape is cleaned of residual slurry and heated in a furnace to sinter the ceramic particles together.More work will be needed to turn the process into a production-ready system.

The Economist

When a steel furnace exploded, he worried about loss of production, not loss of life.

The Economist

Even in the furnace of pre-monsoonal heat, linen-suited Westerners (and Easterners) are appearing in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, anxious not to miss out.But will India fly?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing industrial processes, use more specific terms like "blast furnace" or "kiln" to provide clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "furnace" interchangeably with "oven" or "stove". A "furnace" is typically used for central heating or industrial processes, while an "oven" or "stove" is used for cooking.

Linguistic Context

The word "furnace" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a device used for heating. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable word. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing both industrial heating processes and home heating systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "furnace" is a common noun that refers to a device for heating. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. It's important to use more specific terms like "blast furnace" or "kiln" when describing specific industrial processes, and to avoid confusing it with similar heating devices like "oven" or "stove". The examples provided by Ludwig offer a range of applications for the word, from describing industrial machinery to home heating systems. Its prevalence in authoritative sources such as The Economist and The Guardian further solidifies its validity and broad acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heating system

Focuses on the overall system rather than the specific heating device.

boiler

Specifically refers to a device that heats water.

central heating

Describes a system that provides heat to an entire building.

heater

A more general term for any device that provides heat.

heating appliance

A more formal term for a device that provides heat.

blast furnace

Specifies the type of furnace used in metal production.

incinerator

Implies a device used for burning waste.

kiln

Specifically refers to a high-temperature oven used for ceramics or bricks.

combustion chamber

Refers to the part of a device where burning occurs.

inferno

Describes a place or situation of intense heat or fire.

FAQs

How to use "furnace" in a sentence?

You can use "furnace" to describe a heating device for supplying warmth, hot water, or steam. For example: "The "furnace" had broken down and we had to replace it before winter."

What can I say instead of "furnace"?

You can use alternatives like "heating system", "boiler", or "heater" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "furnace" or "heater"?

Both ""furnace"" and "heater" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. A ""furnace"" is typically a central heating system, while a "heater" can be a smaller, portable device.

What's the difference between a "furnace" and a "kiln"?

A ""furnace"" is a general term for a heating device, while a "kiln" is specifically a high-temperature oven used for firing ceramics or bricks.