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.

---

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

---

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

Currently they're more expensive than a gas boiler to install, and can also end up more expensive to run.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Krauze joined what was then called the Vladimir Lenin shipyard in 1983, first in a coal-fired boiler room and later operating a crane.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

"Basically, if a boiler lasts you 15 years or so then you will likely wait quite some time to consider swapping out oil for gas," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

An hour later, Dee is washing and prepping the strawberries and cherries while Jorge melts dark chocolate in a double boiler.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King

Related Words

• heater
• heating system
• incinerator
• kiln
• stove