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Glite Dictionary
to burn in

to burn in

1 6.9
Run new devices for a while to make sure they work well
  • phrasal verb
  • /bɜrn ɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : rodar
  • After we burn in the amplifier, it will sound much better and be ready for use.

Examples

  • In addition, a large amount of O2 was burned in the fire.

    Sunshine (2007)

  • We need to burn in the new server for a week to ensure its performance is stable.

  • One or two lights are now burning in buildings beyond.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • And then once it's gone through the first six months of burning in, it tends to tends not to fail.

  • It's essential to burn in your new headphones for a few hours to optimize their sound quality.

Synonyms

to try out
vsto burn in
229 2.8

To test something to see how it works

runs equipment repeatedly or continuously to ensure reliability and improve performance
to take for a spin
vsto burn in
  • Informal
23 4.2

To test a car or gadget by using it for a short time

runs equipment for an extended period to ensure proper function and improve performance
to pretest
vsto burn in
1 3.9

To test something before its main use to find problems and make sure it works

runs equipment for a long period to ensure and improve performance

Antonyms

to fail
370 2.2

Stop working properly, as a machine or part

How Tested

to stress test
  • Specialized
2 3.9
to burn in
  • Specialized
1 6.9
to break in
29 3.4
test
∞ 1.0
check
720 1.0

Surface Forms

burn in infinitive
burned in past
burned in past participle
burning in present participle
burns in third person singular

Morphology

burn + in

This is a technical phrasal verb whose meaning 'to run/test new equipment for a period' is not directly or literally derived from 'burn' (commonly 'set on fire' or 'record onto a disc') plus 'in' (inside). The sense is a metaphorical/technical extension and thus only partially inferable from the parts; a B1 learner who knows the constituents would likely not fully predict this meaning without exposure.

Etymology

Burn in may come from the old habit of letting a new machine or lamp burn for a while in operation so any weak parts show problems and the rest settle into place. So, burn in now means 'to run or test new equipment for a period to make sure it works properly or to improve performance'.