distill

verb

dis·​till di-ˈstil 

variants or less commonly distil

distilled; distilling

transitive verb

1

: to let fall, exude, or precipitate (see precipitate entry 1 sense 3b) in drops or in a wet mist

some caves are dry, others distill water from invisible rifts

—Norman Douglas

2

a

: to purify or transform (a liquid) by successive evaporation and condensation : to subject to or transform by distillation

distill molasses into rum

b

: to obtain by or as if by distillation

distill whiskey

able to distill humor from personal loss

c

: to extract the essence of : concentrate

distill the experience into a poem

intransitive verb

1

a

: to fall or materialize in drops or in a fine moisture

b

: to appear slowly or in small quantities at a time

2

a

: to undergo distillation

b

: to perform distillation

Synonyms

• dribble
• drip
• drop
• trickle

Examples of distill in a Sentence

They distill the whiskey from malted barley.

He has perfectly distilled the meaning of the holiday into a poem.

Recent Examples on the Web

She’s been a celebrity go-to for years—lending her undetectable blending, illuminating, and accentuating prowess to the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz for year; and now, somehow managing to distill her artistry in a line of products that feel expert, yes, but shockingly approachable. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 23 May 2025

And the end of the de minimis exemption for Chinese goods will also distill abstract, complicated, messy, hard-to-follow trade policy into something much easier to understand: a receipt. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 2 May 2025

All of the grapes used to distill the eaux-de-vie were grown in the Grand Champagne cru in the Cognac region, and were matured in French oak for years before being blended together. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025

Great leaders distill complexity into a singular, resonant idea that lingers in the minds of those who hear it. —Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English distillen, from Anglo-French distiller, from Late Latin distillare, alteration of Latin destillare, from de- + stillare to drip, from stilla drop

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for distill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill
• gristmill

Kids Definition

distill

verb

dis·​till

variants also distil

dis-ˈtil 

distilled; distilling

: to obtain or purify by distillation

Medical Definition

distill

verb

dis·​till

variants also distil

dis-ˈtil 

distilled; distilling

transitive verb

1

: to subject to or transform by distillation

2

: to obtain by or as if by distillation

3

: to obtain an extract from (as a plant) by infusion and distillation

making medicines by distilling herbs

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo distillation

2

: to condense or drop from a still after distillation