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heat sink

heat sink

1 4.5
A metal part that takes heat away from electronic parts so they do not get too hot
  • noun
  • /hiːt sɪŋk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : disipador de calor
  • An aerospace supplier was asked recently to design a heat sink that works both vertically and horizontally.
  • heat sink cools
  • thermal heat sink
  • design a heat sink

The magnesium frame was part structural, part heat sink because of its thermal thermal properties.

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Examples

  • Without the simulation and analysis software, engineers may need to make three design iterations to find the right heat sink, Dixon said.

    Academic text (2009)
  • The heat sink helped keep the computer's CPU cool, allowing it to run at optimal performance levels.

  • No, but we have to take the heat sink off, right?

  • And then the heat sink will go on top of that.

  • So let's take off the heat sink and fan and try it again.

  • So yeah, if you get one of these, add your own heat sinks immediately.

  • In order to consider all options, engineers at the company sought a quick way to evaluate heat sink design.

    Academic text (2009)
  • I can see dust on this heat sink, so it isn't brand new.

  • This is the heat sink and the two LEDs that form that that backlight that we were talking about.

  • As is the case with most lighting, LED luminaires are typically air-cooled, which calls for an efficient heat sink that works in any environment.

    Academic text (2009)

Synonyms

radiator
vsheat sink
41 3.0

A metal part of a car that cools the engine by sending hot liquid through thin tubes to the air

absorbs heat directly from nearby components and sends it into the air
sink
vsheat sink
  • Specialized
14 7.9

A place or system that absorbs and stores substances like carbon

is a metal device that takes heat from an object and disperses it
heat exchanger
vsheat sink
  • Specialized
2 4.1

A machine that moves heat between two liquids or gases without mixing them

absorbs heat from a solid component and disperses it to surroundings

How Effective

heat sink
  • Specialized
1 4.5
dissipater
  • Specialized
8.2
radiator
41 3.0

Surface Forms

heat sink singular
heat sinks plural

Morphology

heat + sink

The compound is largely compositional — ‘heat’ + ‘sink’ denotes something that absorbs or removes heat — so the core idea is derivable from the parts. However, the noun sense of 'sink' as a reservoir/absorber (rather than a kitchen sink) is somewhat technical and may be unknown to an average B1 learner, making full understanding less certain without brief explanation.

Etymology

Heat sink uses a simple picture: the metal part acts like a sink that takes in heat, as if heat were water flowing down into a bowl. That's why a heat sink is 'a part that takes heat away so electronics stay cool'.