boiler

American  

[boi-ler] / ˈbɔɪ lər /

noun

1. a closed vessel or arrangement of vessels and tubes, together with a furnace or other heat source, in which steam or other vapor is generated from water to drive turbines or engines, supply heat, process certain materials, etc.

2. a vessel, as a kettle, for boiling boil boiling or heating.

3. British. a large tub in which laundry is boiled boil or sterilized.

4. a tank in which water is heated and stored, as for supplying hot water.

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boiler British  

/ ˈbɔɪlə /

noun

1. a closed vessel or arrangement of enclosed tubes in which water is heated to supply steam to drive an engine or turbine or provide heat

2. a domestic device burning solid fuel, gas, or oil, to provide hot water, esp for central heating

3. a large tub for boiling laundry

4. a tough old chicken for cooking by boiling

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Other Word Forms

• boilerless adjective

Etymology

Origin of boiler

First recorded in 1530–40; boil ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Minutes later, Campbell is spotted wearing a boiler suit going out the same door.

From BBC

Once they lowered engines, boilers or heavy cargoes like steam locomotives into the belllies of ships.

From BBC

The manager of the boiler and turbine department and a half-dozen staff members had donned body armor and stayed in the control room to monitor the equipment during the attack.

From The Wall Street Journal

To cool that steam and return it to the boilers, vast amounts of seawater are needed.

From BBC

“You got to put them where it’s hot, and this shed gets like a boiler,” Junior explained as he plunged his hand into the bucket and ever so gently pulled out an egg.

From Literature

Related Words

• heater
• heating system
• incinerator
• kiln
• stove