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

On the Chesapeake Bay, market hunters favored punt guns—cannons weighing up to 200 pounds, with barrels made from boiler pipe—that could bring down 100 ducks with one shot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Whereas a gas boiler might heat water to 70C to run round your radiators, heat pumps work better at 45C.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Installing one likely involves some new pipework, and often new radiators; it is not something you can just get one day when the gas boiler packs up.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

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 • Feb. 15, 2026

I had probably interrupted her in the middle of her own quiet time when the boiler and presses were off and the cool night flew against the windows in moths and crickets.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

Related Words

• heater
• heating system
• incinerator
• kiln
• stove