boiler

noun

boil·​er ˈbȯi-lər 

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

The boiler is broken, so Kuhner huddles by a small space heater in his office in the winter. —Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026

Cameras can make out the top of the Titanic boilers in the debris field. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

The crane drops waste into boilers, which leads the trash to the incineration process. —Frankie McLister, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

Ads from the era of President Theodore Roosevelt and President William Taft highlight electric percolators and serving dishes and egg boilers and toasters as symbols of a sophisticated morning meal. —Michael Kilian, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing boiler

• boiler room
• double boiler
• steam boiler

Rhymes for boiler

• broiler
• oiler
• spoiler
• toiler
• reboiler

Kids Definition

boiler

noun

boil·​er ˈbȯi-lər 

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