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

This ash may affect boiler performance in power plants. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Nov. 2025

After it was pulled out of service during last year's North Pole Express runs, the 80-year-old locomotive underwent reconstruction, boiler refurbishment and repairs to the superheaters, according to an SRI post on Facebook. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Nov. 2025

The project will convert cotton stalk into torrefied biomass, a cleaner, drop-in substitute for coal in boilers at Arvind’s manufacturing operations, reducing fossil fuel usage. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 19 Nov. 2025

In a phone call last spring, Kashunamiut School District Superintendent Jeanne Campbell described a host of problems related to the Chevak school's boiler and broken water pipes that impacted the fire sprinkler system. —Emily Schwing, NPR, 10 Nov. 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