cooktop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Technical/Everyday
Quick answer
What does “cooktop” mean?
The flat surface of a cooking appliance, built into a kitchen counter, on which pots and pans are placed to be heated directly by electric elements or gas burners.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The flat surface of a cooking appliance, built into a kitchen counter, on which pots and pans are placed to be heated directly by electric elements or gas burners.
A standalone electric or gas-powered cooking surface installed separately from a conventional oven, also known as a hob or a rangetop. Can refer to the entire cooking unit in modern kitchens.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word 'cooktop' is primarily an American English term. The standard British English equivalent is 'hob'. 'Cooktop' is understood in the UK but sounds American.
Connotations
In AmE: Neutral, descriptive, modern. In BrE: May sound overly technical or like an import from American marketing.
Frequency
Very common in AmE for kitchen appliances. In BrE, 'hob' is dominant; 'cooktop' is far less frequent but used in some modern appliance catalogues.
Grammar
How to Use “cooktop” in a Sentence
[The cooktop] [is/is made of] [material][I/We] [installed/cleaned] [a/the cooktop]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cooktop” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in appliance retail, kitchen design, and real estate listings.
Academic
Rare; might appear in materials science or home economics.
Everyday
Used when discussing kitchen appliances, home renovation, or cooking.
Technical
Standard term in appliance manuals, specifications, and kitchen architecture.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cooktop”
- Using 'cooktop' to refer to the entire oven-stove unit.
- Spelling as 'cook top' (two words).
- Using 'cooker top' (non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A 'stove' (or 'range') typically includes both the cooking surface and an oven built underneath. A 'cooktop' is just the flat cooking surface, installed separately into a countertop.
Yes, but it is recognised as an Americanism. The standard and much more common term in British English is 'hob'. You might see 'cooktop' in the context of imported appliances or international design catalogues.
The main types are gas (using gas burners), electric (using radiant coil or solid disc elements), ceramic/glass (with electric elements under a smooth surface), and induction (which uses electromagnetic energy to heat the cookware directly).
It is a single, compound word: 'cooktop'. The spelling 'cook top' is considered incorrect in modern usage.
The flat surface of a cooking appliance, built into a kitchen counter, on which pots and pans are placed to be heated directly by electric elements or gas burners.
Cooktop is usually technical/everyday in register.
Cooktop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʊk.tɒp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʊk.tɑːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it as the TOP of a cooker that you COOK on. It's the flat, top surface.
Conceptual Metaphor
The cooktop is a workbench for heat.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest British English equivalent to the American term 'cooktop'?