[kuh
n-vek-shuhn] 
| 1. | Physics. the transfer of heat by the circulation or movement of the heated parts of a liquid or gas. |
| 2. | Meteorology. the vertical transport of atmospheric properties, esp. upward (distinguished from advection ). |
| 3. | the act of conveying or transmitting. |
con·vec·tion (kən-věk'shən)  (click for larger image in new window) n.
[Late Latin convectiō, convectiōn-, from convectus, past participle of convehere, to carry together : Latin com-, com- + Latin vehere, to carry; see wegh- in Indo-European roots.] con·vec'tion·al adj., con·vec'tive adj., con·vec'tive·ly adv. |
convection con·vec·tion (kən-věk'shən)
n.
Heat transfer in a gas or liquid by the circulation of currents from one region to another.
Fluid motion caused by an external force such as gravity.
| convection (kən-věk'shən) Pronunciation Key
Current in a fluid caused by uneven distribution of heat. For example, air on a part of the Earth's surface warmed by strong sunlight will be heated by contact with the ground and will expand and flow upward, creating a region of low pressure below it; cooler surrounding air will then flow in to this low pressure region. The air thus circulates by convection, creating winds. See Note at conduction. |