​OVEN (O. Eng. ofn, Ger. Ofen, cf. Gr. ἰπνός, oven), a close chamber or compartment which may be raised to a considerable temperature by heat generated either within or without it. In English the term generally refers to a chamber for baking bread and other food substances, but it is also used of certain appliances employed in manufacturing operations, as in coking coal or making pottery. See Heating.