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 last week of the campaign now boils down to one, burning issue. Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 May 2025 An overwhelming majority of the franchise’s deaths boil down to the tragedy of wrong place, wrong time. Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025 That assessment boils down to one key trait: Deinosuchus had special glands and a tolerance for salt water, according to the study. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025 But remember: Lots of our gait boils down to our individual anatomy. Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 25 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boil down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boil%20down. Accessed 2 Jun. 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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