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 or heating.

3. British. a large tub in which laundry is boiled 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

Derived Forms

• boilerless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of boiler

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

Example Sentences

The property’s boiler shot enormous pressure through the complex’s 60-year-old pipes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Since her tenant stopped paying rent, she has had to pay £2,500 for boiler repairs as well as service charges on the estate and a mortgage on the property.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Across the UK, 1.5m homes are heated by oil, usually a kind of kerosene burned in a boiler to heat water for radiators and hot water.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

In 2014 he helped break up the so-called boiler room scams operating from Spain that tricked British people into investing in non-existent shares.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Next to the boiler was a pair of soapstone washtubs with a hinged wooden cover.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

• heater
• heating system
• incinerator
• kiln
• stove