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

Increasingly, the aging building has been experiencing system failures that include the boilers and chillers, electrical infrastructure, plumbing and roof leaks, the City Council was told. —Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Getting your home insulated and switching from a gas boiler to an electric heat pump will slash your home’s footprint (and your bills). —Hannah Ritchie, Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026

Sundlin said that no decision has been made yet on the exterior of the boiler building — which will be preserved and sealed off from the turbine hall until plans for its development are finalized. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026

Do not perform plumbing work on a radiator unless the boiler system has been shut down. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 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