Definition

1. Noun:
   • A blanket containing an electric heating element: An electric blanket is a type of bedding with built-in electrical wiring. This wiring generates heat, allowing the blanket to warm the user. The temperature is typically adjustable via a control unit (often a rheostat or digital controller) to reach a desired level of warmth.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • On cold winter nights, I plug in my electric blanket an hour before bed.
  • The safety instructions warn against folding or tucking the electric blanket while it is turned on.
  • She bought an electric blanket for her grandmother to help with poor circulation.

Advanced Usage

• "to turn on/off the electric blanket": to activate or deactivate the heating function.
  • Remember to turn off the electric blanket when you get up.
• "a dual-control electric blanket": a blanket with separate temperature controls for each side, often used by two people sharing a bed.
  • We got a dual-control electric blanket so we can each set our preferred temperature.

Variants and Related Words

• Heated throw (n): A smaller, often decorative, electric blanket designed for use on a couch or chair rather than a bed.
  • She wrapped herself in a heated throw while reading on the sofa.
• Underblanket / Mattress pad (n): An electric heating pad placed under the bottom sheet on a mattress, as opposed to a blanket placed on top.
  • He prefers an underblanket because it heats the bed from below.

Synonyms

• Heated blanket: A more general term.
• Electric throw: Typically refers to a smaller blanket for lap or shoulder use.

Related Phrases

• Electric blanket fire: A safety hazard phrase referring to a fire caused by a faulty or misused electric blanket.
  • The news report highlighted the dangers of old electric blanket fires.
• To sleep under an electric blanket: The common usage pattern.
  • They sleep under an electric blanket throughout the winter months.

Noun

1. a blanket containing and electric heating element that can be controlled to the desired temperature by a rheostat