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.
Bond missions for characters usually boil down to training checklists, encouraging the use of different weapon types or certain attacks in exchange of experience points. Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025 The answer effectively boils down to load management. Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025 The name of a neighborhood often boils down to who lived in the place or who developed it, local experts said. Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 3 Jan. 2025 Cabanes à sucre are spring-only restaurants that pop up during the maple harvest, when buckets of sap are boiled down into syrup, and Quebecers travel to the countryside in droves to indulge in hearty meals in rustic digs. Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 27 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near boil down

Cite this Entry

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