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 success of this $270M production boils down to whether families with daughters go on Saturday and Sunday. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025 This case boils down to who should make sensitive medical decisions—parents who know their child best and love them the most, or the government. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 All that just boils down to statistics. Dylan Scott, Vox, 19 Mar. 2025 This boils down to whether or not a worker can afford to retire early, or earlier than previously planned. Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 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 18 Apr. 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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