peeled; peeling; peels
1
: to strip off an outer layer of
peel an orange
2
: to remove by stripping
peel the label off the can
1
a
: to come off in sheets or scales
The paint is peeling.
b
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
His face is peeling.
2
: to take off one's clothes
it got hotter … you had to peel to get relief—
L. M. Uris
L. M. Uris3
: to break away from a group or formation
—often used with off
Like corals, the branches of sponges can peel off and reestablish themselves as new colonies. Natural History
1
: the skin or rind of a fruit or vegetable
banana/lemon/potato peels
2
: a thin layer of organic material that is embedded in a film of collodion and stripped from the surface of an object (such as a plant fossil) for microscopic study
3
: a usually long-handled spade-shaped instrument that is used chiefly by bakers for getting something (such as bread or pies) into or out of the oven
: a medieval small massive fortified tower along the Scottish-English border
called also peel tower
Examples of peel in a Sentence
Verb
They peeled back the sheet to display the new sculpture.
She got sunburned and her back is peeling.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashia Aubourg, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024
Surrounded by his arsenal of keyboards, the 74-year-old peeled back the years with strong vocal performances.
—Brian McCollum, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
The husk is easily removed—just peel, pull and twist.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for peel 
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Verb
Gently roll/tap the eggs to release the shell and peel 5.
—Ashia Aubourg, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024
Surrounded by his arsenal of keyboards, the 74-year-old peeled back the years with strong vocal performances.
—Brian McCollum, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
Gently twist a lemon peel over to the drink to release the oil and discard.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
The husk is easily removed—just peel, pull and twist.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for peel
Dictionary Entries Near peel
Cite this Entry
“Peel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peel. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
peel
1 of 2 verb1
: to strip off an outer layer of
peel an apple
2
: to strip or tear off
peeled off their coats
3
a
: to come off in strips or patches
the paint is peeling
b
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
your face is peeling
peeler
noun
peel
2 of 2 noun
: an outer covering and especially the skin or rind of a fruit
Medical Definition
peel
1 of 2 transitive verb1
: to strip off an outer layer of
2
: to remove (as skin or a blemish) by stripping
1
: to come off in sheets or scales
sunburned skin peels
2
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
his face is peeling
peel
2 of 2 nounGeographical Definition
Peel
geographical name
river 425 miles (684 kilometers) long in northwestern Canada rising in western Yukon (territory) and flowing east and north into the Mackenzie River
Biographical Definition
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