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

Cow manure can be treated to release biomethane, a renewable gas which is already used to power central heating boilers in about a million homes.

From BBC

Heat pumps convert single kilowatt hours of electricity into multiple kilowatt hours of heat but electric boilers can't do this and are therefore considered less efficient.

From BBC

Asbestos was once thought of as an ideal material for insulation in buildings, boilers and pipes.

From BBC

The firm removed individual gas boilers from flats in 2021 for safety reasons, and installed a central heat network at both blocks.

From BBC

It didn’t have central air conditioning, and it was heated by an old-fashioned boiler.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• heater
• heating system
• incinerator
• kiln
• stove