boiling point

American  

noun

1. Physics, Chemistry. the temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid is equal to the pressure of the atmosphere on the liquid, equal to 212°F (100°C) for water at sea level. b.p.

2. the point beyond which one becomes angry, outraged, or agitated.

3. the point at which matters reach a crisis.

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boiling point British  

noun

1. the temperature at which a liquid boils at a given pressure, usually atmospheric pressure at sea level; the temperature at which the vapour pressure of a liquid equals the external pressure

2. informal the condition of being angered or highly excited

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boiling point Scientific  

/ boi′lĭng /

1. The temperature at which a liquid changes to a vapor or gas. This temperature stays the same until all the liquid has vaporized. As the temperature of a liquid rises, the pressure of escaping vapor also rises, and at the boiling point the pressure of the escaping vapor is equal to that exerted on the liquid by the surrounding air, causing bubbles to form. Typically boiling points are measured at sea level. At higher altitudes, where atmospheric pressure is lower, boiling points are lower. The boiling point of water at sea level is 100°C (212°F), while at the top of Mount Everest it is 71°C (159.8°F).

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boiling point Cultural  

1. The temperature at which a given material changes from a liquid to a gas. The boiling point is the same temperature as the condensation point. (See phases of matter.)

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boiling point Idioms  

1. A climax or crisis; a high degree of fury, excitement, or outrage. For example, The union's disgust with management has reached the boiling point . This metaphoric term alludes to the temperature at which water boils. [Second half of 1700s]

2. have a low boiling point . Become angry quite readily, as in Don't tease her anymore—she has a low boiling point . This phrase means that it takes less heat than usual for a boiling point to be reached. [First half of 1800s] Also see boil over ; make one's blood boil .

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Discover More

Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (see also Fahrenheit) or 100 degrees Celsius.

Etymology

Origin of boiling point

First recorded in 1765–75

Compare meaning

How does boiling-point compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• vapor pressure vs. boiling point
• melting point vs. boiling point

Example Sentences

A traditional nuclear power plant uses water to cool the reactor core, but Newcleo’s design would instead use liquid lead, which has a higher boiling point and allows operations at atmospheric pressure.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

The boiling point of the chemical inside the tank, methyl methacrylate, is 101 degrees Celsius.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

The affordability crisis has reached a boiling point with many middle- and lower-income Americans increasingly burdened by debt and struggling to cover basic household expenses.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026

Over the past year, frustrations have reached a boiling point.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

This brought blacks throughout Alabama to a boiling point.

From "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose

Related Words

• acrimony
• energy
• ferocity
• frenzy
• furor
• indignation
• intensity
• ire
• madness
• passion
• rage
• storm
• violence