hob

Everyday

1. A hob is the flat top part of a cooker with rings or plates where you put pans to heat food; in the USA and Canada it is called a stovetop or cooktop. tree →
2. A hob-nail is a short nail with a large head, hammered into the soles of heavy boots. tree →

In the lessons

In kitchen safety lessons: the hob can stay hot after it is turned off; turn pan handles inward so they cannot be knocked; never leave a pan alone on a hot hob; keep tea towels and paper away; children should cook on the hob only with an adult. Induction hobs heat only the pan, using magnetism. Phrases: on the hob, gas hob, electric hob, induction hob.

Examples

• Put the pan of water on the hob. tree →
• The hob is still hot, don't touch it. tree →
• Turn the pan handles away from the edge of the hob. tree →
• Our hob has four rings. tree →
• A gas hob has a blue flame. tree →
• Never leave cooking on the hob alone. tree →
• Mum wiped the hob after cooking. tree →
• The red light shows the hob is hot. tree →

Note

Countable. Mostly British, Irish, Australian and NZ word. A hob is the top; the oven is the box below it; together they are a cooker (UK) or stove/range (USA).