Oven Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🔥
Add to dictionary

oven

[ˈʌvən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

kitchen appliance

A closed compartment used for cooking food by heating it from below or above.

Synonyms

cooker, range, stove.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
oven

This is used to describe an enclosed compartment for cooking and baking, usually built into a kitchen unit.

  • I preheated the oven to 350 degrees before baking the cookies
  • The oven in my new apartment works perfectly
stove

Used to describe the top part of the appliance where you cook using burners or heating elements. It's more commonly used in American English.

  • Don't forget to turn off the stove after cooking
  • She prefers using a gas stove over an electric one
cooker

Commonly used in British English to refer to a large kitchen appliance that includes both the stove and the oven.

  • I bought a new electric cooker last week
  • The cooker has a built-in timer and multiple cooking functions
range

Refers to a large kitchen appliance that includes both a stovetop and an oven. Common in American English.

  • The kitchen range needs cleaning after the dinner party
  • I like the gas range because it heats up quickly

Examples of usage

  • The cake is baking in the oven.
  • I preheated the oven before putting in the pizza.
Context #2 | Noun

metaphorical

A place or situation in which people are subjected to severe heat, especially as a punishment.

Synonyms

furnace, hearth, kiln.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
oven

Identical to the first entry for oven, as it refers to the same appliance and context.

  • She put the cake in the oven.
  • The pizza is baking in the oven.
furnace

Commonly used for heating buildings or for burning materials at high temperatures. Typically found in basements and industrial settings.

  • The furnace keeps the house warm in the winter.
  • They use a furnace to melt the metal.
kiln

A type of oven used for firing ceramics, bricks, or drying various materials like wood.

  • The potter placed the clay pots in the kiln.
  • The bricks were hardened in the kiln.
hearth

Refers to the floor or area in front of a fireplace, often symbolic of the home and family. It can also refer to a fireplace itself.

  • They gathered around the hearth for warmth.
  • She cleaned the hearth before lighting the fire.

Examples of usage

  • He found himself in the political oven of public scrutiny.
Context #3 | Verb

cooking

To cook or heat something in an oven.

Synonyms

bake, broil, roast.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
oven

A kitchen appliance used for baking, roasting, and broiling food. It's a general term and does not imply any specific cooking method.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • She placed the cake in the oven.
bake

A cooking method involving prolonged dry heat, typically in an oven. Usually used for bread, cakes, pastries, and other foods that need gradual cooking.

  • I love to bake cookies on the weekends.
  • Bake the lasagna until it's golden brown.
roast

A cooking method that uses dry heat where hot air envelops the food, typically done in an oven. Commonly used for meats and vegetables.

  • We decided to roast a turkey for Thanksgiving.
  • Roast the vegetables with some olive oil and spices.
broil

A cooking method in which food is exposed directly to high heat, usually from above, in an oven. Often used for meat and fish to achieve a crispy top.

  • Broil the chicken for about 10 minutes.
  • I like to broil my steak to get a nice char on it.

Examples of usage

  • She ovened the bread for breakfast.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'oven'

The word 'oven' has its origins from the Latin word 'furnus', which means 'oven' or 'stove'. Ovens have been used for cooking since ancient times, with archaeological evidence dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. Over the centuries, ovens have evolved from simple hearths to sophisticated appliances used in kitchens around the world.


Word Frequency Rank

At #5,625 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.