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 decrease was primarily driven by lower water heater volumes in North America and reduced sales in China, partially offset by higher boiler sales and pricing actions. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 11 Feb. 2025

On one voyage, a boiler blew up killing a crew member. —Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025

The company’s first customer, a Dow petrochemical plant in Seadrift, Tex., plans to replace its gas boilers with X-energy’s SMRs, which will create steam and electricity for the plant and possibly for the grid. —IEEE Spectrum, 10 Dec. 2024

Flagstaff Unified, however, succeeded in navigating the bureaucracy recently: The state provided about $500,000 to replace broken boilers at Coconino High. —Joan Meiners and Katie Worth, The Arizona Republic, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing boiler

• boiler room
• double boiler
• steam boiler

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