boiler

noun

boil·​er ˈbȯi-lər How to pronounce boiler (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One is to use more of the heat, such as preheating water for the buildings’ boilers or melting snow. — Moones Alamooti, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 The Belmont Buckingham apartment building in Capitol Hill will need $540,000 in new boilers and more than $1 million in total upgrades, and the 1300 Apartments in Congress Park will need to spend $440,000, property manager Cornerstone said. — Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026 These devices temperature sensors coupled with adaptive algorithms to adjust your furnace, boiler, heat pump, or other HVAC system, lowering your power costs and maintaining an ideal climate. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 While low-hanging fixes such as efficiency improvements can be self-funded through short-term debt, major infrastructure upgrades like industrial heat pumps or electric boilers require payback periods of five to 10-plus years. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boiler

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of boiler was circa 1540

Phrases Containing boiler

Rhymes for boiler

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Browse Nearby Words

boiled sweets
boiler
boiler compound
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boiler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boiler. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

boiler

noun
boil·​er ˈbȯi-lər How to pronounce boiler (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on boiler

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boiler

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