sensible heat

In thermodynamics, this term refers specifically to heat that results in a measurable temperature increase or decrease. It is distinguished from latent heat, which occurs during a phase change (such as melting or boiling) where the temperature remains constant despite the addition or removal of energy.

Because this is a technical scientific term, it is used almost exclusively in physics, engineering, and meteorology. In these contexts, it describes the energy transfer that can be "sensed" or measured by a thermometer, contrasting with the "hidden" nature of latent heat.