scalded; scalding; scalds
1
: to burn with or as if with hot liquid or steam
2
a
: to subject to the action of boiling water or steam
b
: to bring to a temperature just below the boiling point
scald milk
3
: scorch
1
: an injury to the body caused by scalding
2
: an act or process of scalding
3
: any of various conditions or diseases of plants or fruits marked especially by a usually brownish discoloration of tissue
2
archaic
: shabby, contemptible
: subjected to scalding
coffee … with scald cream—
Charles Kingsley
Charles KingsleyExamples of scald in a Sentence
Verb
The steam scalded his skin.
Scald the tomatoes in boiling water so that you can peel them more easily.
Recent Examples on the Web
Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
For painful pimples, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends soaking a clean cloth or towel in warm (not scalding hot) water, then applying it to the affected spot for 10–15 minutes, three times a day.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024
Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 24 July 2024
There are common diseases of hellebores in the Pacific Northwest, including black spot and black death, but this pattern of damage resembles sun scald more than either of the infectious conditions.
—oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for scald 
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Verb
Maricopa County election officials withstood scalding attacks in 2020, a barrage of court cases and persistent criticism from the right — despite attempts from election officials of both parties to quell distrust and make the elections process more transparent.
—Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
For painful pimples, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends soaking a clean cloth or towel in warm (not scalding hot) water, then applying it to the affected spot for 10–15 minutes, three times a day.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Several comics made light of high-risk behavior with flames, scald injury, contact injury, or burns.
—Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
Noun
Tomatoes grow thicker skins to prevent sun scald that causes brown patches to form on the skin.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 24 July 2024
There are common diseases of hellebores in the Pacific Northwest, including black spot and black death, but this pattern of damage resembles sun scald more than either of the infectious conditions.
—oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for scald
Dictionary Entries Near scald
Cite this Entry
“Scald.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scald. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scald
1 of 2 verb1
: to burn with or as if with hot liquid or steam
2
a
: to cover with boiling water or steam
b
: to bring to a temperature just below the boiling point
scald milk
scald
2 of 2 noun
: an injury to the body caused by scalding
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