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
Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
The problems with the water system persisted, with residents being asked to boil their water for safety amid reports of brown water, leaking sewage and low water pressure.
—Bracey Harris, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024
Add warm milk, pint of chicken stock and warm cream, stirring constantly, and bring to a boil; turn down to let simmer.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for boil 
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Verb
Her bagels, 14,000 per day, boil in the kettles before being transferred to the ovens to bake.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
The problems with the water system persisted, with residents being asked to boil their water for safety amid reports of brown water, leaking sewage and low water pressure.
—Bracey Harris, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
Start potatoes in cold water and bring up to a boil.
—Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024
Add warm milk, pint of chicken stock and warm cream, stirring constantly, and bring to a boil; turn down to let simmer.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Nov. 2024
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 28 Nov. 2024.
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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