boiled; boiling; boils
1
a
: to come to the boiling point
b
: to generate bubbles of vapor when heated
—used of a liquid
c
: to cook in boiling water
2
: to become agitated : seethe
3
: to be moved, excited, or stirred up
4
a
: to rush headlong
b
: to burst forth
5
: to undergo the action of a boiling liquid
1
: to subject to the action of a boiling liquid
2
: to heat to the boiling point
3
: to form or separate (something, such as sugar or salt) by boiling
: a localized swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting from infection of a hair follicle and adjacent tissue, having a hard central core, and forming pus
Synonyms
Examples of boil in a Sentence
Verb
Keep the temperature low enough so the mixture will not boil.
a pot of boiling water
french fries cooked in boiling oil
Noun (1)
the dermatologist lanced the infected boil that had formed on the patient's neck
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashia Aubourg, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024
How To Use Frozen Potatoes Frozen potatoes can be boiled, baked, roasted, fried, or sautéed straight from the freezer.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024
Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
Bring to a boil, add tortellini and reduce heat to medium; simmer, stirring occasionally, until tortellini are cooked.
—Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for boil 
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Verb
Once boiling, cover, remove from heat, and let sit for 12-13 minutes 3.
—Ashia Aubourg, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024
How To Use Frozen Potatoes Frozen potatoes can be boiled, baked, roasted, fried, or sautéed straight from the freezer.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low to maintain a very gentle simmer for 2 hours.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
Bring to a boil, add tortellini and reduce heat to medium; simmer, stirring occasionally, until tortellini are cooked.
—Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for boil
Articles Related to boil
Dictionary Entries Near boil
Cite this Entry
“Boil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boil. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boil
1 of 3 noun
: a painful swollen inflamed area of the skin resulting from infection compare carbuncle sense 2
boil
2 of 3 verb1
a
: to produce bubbles of vapor when heated
the water is boiling
b
: to come or bring to the boiling point
the coffee boiled
2
: to churn violently as if boiling
boiling floodwaters
3
: to be excited or stirred up
boil with anger
4
: to go through or cause to go through the action of a boiling liquid
boil eggs
boil
3 of 3 noun
: the act or state of boiling
bring to a boil
Etymology
Noun
an altered form of Middle English bile "a boil," from Old English bȳl (same meaning)
Verb
Middle English boilen "to boil," from early French boillir, derived from Latin bulla "a bubble" — related to bill entry 3, bowl entry 2
Medical Definition
boil
noun
: a localized swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting from usually bacterial infection of a hair follicle and adjacent tissue, having a hard central core, and forming pus
called also furuncle
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