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

For example, the U.S. imports $124 billion in electric machinery; $82 billion in nuclear reactors, boilers and other machinery; $12 billion in goods made of iron or steel; and $19.3 billion in plastics from China each year, according to data from the International Trade Administration. —Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 6 May 2025

Still, the study found that utilizing a geothermal system or a combination of all-electric boilers and heat pumps could reduce emissions by an additional 80% or more. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025

Heat pumps and electric boilers came out on top When assessed across indicators including capital expenditure, operating expenses, thermal efficiency and technological maturity amongst others, electric boilers and heat pumps came out on top. —Amy Nguyen, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

The previous owner told her the price was set low because the hot water boiler would need repairs. —Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025

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