boil down

verb

boiled down; boiling down; boils down

transitive verb

1
: to reduce in bulk by boiling
2
: condense, summarize
boil down a report

intransitive verb

1
: to undergo reduction in bulk by boiling
2
a
: to be equivalent in summary : amount
his speech boiled down to a plea for more money
b
: to reduce ultimately
your choices boil down to three

Examples of boil down in a Sentence

the discussion of the problem can be boiled down to a couple of critical points
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The difference between 10 days or nearly a year in jail should not boil down to a question over which corner someone was ticketed on, or which court a case is referred to. Jay Fisher, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025 Ultimately, the likelihood of a recession may boil down to the direction of White House policy, Sonola said. Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2025 Most of the standstill boils down to the lack of an independent oversight director, a new position in the city created along with the commission. Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2025 The most persuasive hypotheses boil down to three things: price, perception, and protein. Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boil down

Word History

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of boil down was in 1723

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Cite this Entry

“Boil down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boil%20down. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

boil down

verb
: to reduce or become reduced by or as if by boiling
let the sauce boil down
boil down a report
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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