boiled; boiling; boils
1
a
: to come to the boiling point
b
: to generate bubbles of vapor when heated
—used of a liquid
c
: to cook in boiling water
2
: to become agitated : seethe
3
: to be moved, excited, or stirred up
4
a
: to rush headlong
b
: to burst forth
5
: to undergo the action of a boiling liquid
1
: to subject to the action of a boiling liquid
2
: to heat to the boiling point
3
: to form or separate (something, such as sugar or salt) by boiling
: a localized swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting from infection of a hair follicle and adjacent tissue, having a hard central core, and forming pus
Synonyms
Examples of boil in a Sentence
Verb
Keep the temperature low enough so the mixture will not boil.
a pot of boiling water
french fries cooked in boiling oil
Noun (1)
the dermatologist lanced the infected boil that had formed on the patient's neck
Recent Examples on the Web
Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
When boiling water, the heat causes those minerals to precipitate into a white, chalky deposit inside the kettle known as limescale buildup.
—Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 27 Jan. 2025
Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
Return to the heat and let come to a boil before simmering it for about 35 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for boil 
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Verb
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) said all Trinity Bay Conservation District customers in this community should boil their water.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
When boiling water, the heat causes those minerals to precipitate into a white, chalky deposit inside the kettle known as limescale buildup.
—Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
When water returns to a boil, add 1 cup of cold water and bring water back to a boil.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
Return to the heat and let come to a boil before simmering it for about 35 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for boil
Articles Related to boil
Dictionary Entries Near boil
Cite this Entry
“Boil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boil. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boil
1 of 3 noun
: a painful swollen inflamed area of the skin resulting from infection compare carbuncle sense 2
boil
2 of 3 verb1
a
: to produce bubbles of vapor when heated
the water is boiling
b
: to come or bring to the boiling point
the coffee boiled
2
: to churn violently as if boiling
boiling floodwaters
3
: to be excited or stirred up
boil with anger
4
: to go through or cause to go through the action of a boiling liquid
boil eggs
boil
3 of 3 noun
: the act or state of boiling
bring to a boil
Etymology
Noun
an altered form of Middle English bile "a boil," from Old English bȳl (same meaning)
Verb
Middle English boilen "to boil," from early French boillir, derived from Latin bulla "a bubble" — related to bill entry 3, bowl entry 2
Medical Definition
boil
noun
: a localized swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting from usually bacterial infection of a hair follicle and adjacent tissue, having a hard central core, and forming pus
called also furuncle
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