boiler

noun

boil·​er ˈbȯi-lər How to pronounce boiler (audio)
1
: one that boils
2
a
: a vessel used for boiling
b
: the part of a steam generator in which water is converted into steam and which consists usually of metal shells and tubes
c
: a tank in which water is heated or hot water is stored
d
chiefly British : furnace

Examples of boiler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Let the water in your kettle or electric water boiler come to a boil, then take it off the heat; wait 2 to 3 minutes for the water to cool slightly before pouring it into your mug or teapot. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026 Plans have yet to be finalized for the largest of the buildings, which formerly housed the plant’s gigantic boilers, but options include classrooms, an indoor play space or an oceanographic institute, according to the project’s designers. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026 Despite the installation of a smoke filtration system, preliminary testing found that emissions from its boiler smokestacks exceeded Cambodia’s legal limits. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 17 July 2026 In 2023 the company started planning to install a gas boiler, using biogas or renewable natural gas, as monthly bills for their electric water heaters were becoming unaffordable. — Kyle Devine, Longreads, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for boiler

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of boiler was circa 1540

Phrases Containing boiler

Rhymes for boiler

See All Rhymes for boiler

Browse Nearby Words

boiled sweets
boiler
boiler compound
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boiler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boiler. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

boiler

noun
boil·​er ˈbȯi-lər How to pronounce boiler (audio)
1
: a container in which something is boiled
2
: a strong metal container used in making steam
3
: a tank in which water is heated or hot water is stored

More from Merriam-Webster on boiler

Nglish: Translation of boiler for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boiler

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All