Skip to main content
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.

Defrost Cycle

See Heat Pump. Also called "defrosting" and "going into a defrost."

When it gets below about 45 degrees, a heat pump running in HEAT mode may develop ice or frost on the coils. There are exceptions to the rule, however, as I have seen heat pumps defrost when it is abve 45 degrees and even in the 50s! If it gets frozen enough, it may have to defrost. A defrost cycle is initiated by the the reversing valve switching the flow of Freon and putting the unit in COOL mode. However, unlike when the unit is running in COOL mode on a hot day, the fan blades in outdoor unit are not spinning, and the system typically has its electric, gas, or oil backup heat running to prevent the heat pump from effectively air-conditioning the house while it is defrosting. Sometimes, depending on a number of factors, a steam or fog may appear above the heat pump (see Steam Show). A defrost cycle can last anywhere from less than a minute to ten minutes or more depending on a number of factors, including outdoor temperature, ice/frost buildup on the outdoor coils, whether or not it is raining or snowing, and what temperature the thermostat is set at.
The first time I saw a defrost cycle at my new house, I thought my heat pump wa broken and about to explode!

My heat pump is located right outside the master bedroom window, and it woke me up this morning when it went into defrost.

I was playing with my dog in the backyard on a chilly winter day, when my heat pump went into defrost and scared her so much that she started barking at it.
Defrost Cycle by AutoHVACNut March 15, 2012
Related Words

debrothelizing 

The act of changing from having sexual relations with multiple partners to a smaller amount of partners.
Ben was hooking up with a lot of girls it looked like he was running a brothel in his room so Gregory told him he needed to start debrothelizing before he caught an STD.

defraternize 

Similar to the concept of defriending, defraternization occurs when a person removes a friend or a sibling from their list of family members on their facebook profile. It usually occurs when a person decides to finally get 'serious' about facebook or they no longer regard the other person as a brother/sister.
Ex 1. ARJUN: Dude can you believe Aparna just defraternized me from facebook? She said something about how she wants to only keep her real siblings on facebook. Lame!

Ex 2. JEFF: Man this guy Pete is really annoying and I don't consider him my bro anymore. I'm gonna defraternize him.
defraternize by Avnish April 2, 2010

defrocked 

What happens to a priest when he is accused and found guilty of touching young children.
Father Julian was defrocked after I accused him of fondling my genitals. He had abused me for 8 years, I didn't know any better. Shame on you Father Julian.
defrocked by J-Ru September 15, 2003

decrotchitize 

To strip one of his dignity and/or masculinity or a situation in which one is rendered ineffective
Jake was decrotchitized when he spotted his woman out with another man.
decrotchitize by Naes Yeliab October 21, 2008
When you revisit people who used to like you and decide to give them a chance to date you.
Becky: "Wow, Is Jocelyn dating Andrew? I thought they were just friends."
Karen: "Because of Covid, Jocelyn decided to defrost Andrew"
Defrost by ibeyuranh January 13, 2022
More from Urban Dictionary

piddlefart

verb. To waste time doing nothing.
Instead of doing my homework, I decided to piddlefart around for two hours.
piddlefart by Rene April 25, 2005
Word of the Day on October 9, 2026
anyone who succeeds in disgracing/over indulging themselves in the throws of clubland
28 hours and 4 clubs later, gurning for england but still refusing to go home - a total wrongun!!
wrongun by bevvers March 21, 2007
Word of the Day on October 8, 2026

square grouper

Nickname given to bales of marijuana thrown overboard or out of airplanes. Origin is reportedly from members of the US Coast Guard in the area of Southern Florida.
"Base we've got some square groupers floating outside of Miami harbor."
square grouper by slipsheet November 6, 2004
Word of the Day on October 7, 2026
A girl who does ballet and only talks about ballet. Her schedule is filled with dance classes which does not allow her to do any other activity.
"Hey, do you know that girl Sally?"

"Yeah, she's kind of annoying. All she ever talks about it ballet."

"Wow, what a Bunhead."

"Hey Sally, you want to hang out this weekend?"
"I can't, I have dance."
"You're such a Bunhead."

"Yeah... I know."
Bunhead by Jen00 October 24, 2014
Word of the Day on October 6, 2026

trucker's tan 

A sunburn or suntan focused on the left arm. It is caused by the left side of the body being the only half that gets exposed to sunlight while driving. Presumably, it would be located on the right side of the body in countries where they drive on the left side of the road.
I had a trucker's tan after driving for 10 straight hours on a sunny day.
Word of the Day on October 5, 2026
The phenomenon where adults salivate at children's toys
Every time I walk into the toy aisle, I catch myself kidulting over the latest action figures and LEGO sets!
kidulting by Emotional Cruiser October 12, 2025
Word of the Day on October 4, 2026
Load more