The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which it starts to change into steam or vapour. For example, the boiling point of water is 100° centigrade.
The boiling point of mercury is 356.7° C.
Heat the cream to boiling point and pour three quarters of it over the chocolate.
2. uncountable noun
If a situation reaches boiling point, the people involved have become so angry that they can no longer remain calm and in control of themselves.
The situation is rapidly reaching boiling point, and the army has been put on stand-by.
Mal's temper was at boiling point.
boiling point in British English
noun
1.
the temperature at which a liquid boils at a given pressure, usually atmospheric pressure at sea level; the temperature at which the vapour pressure of a liquid equals the external pressure
2. informal
the condition of being angered or highly excited
boiling point in American English
1.
the temperature at which a specified liquid boils; temperature at which the vapor pressure of a specified liquid equalsthe atmospheric pressure: water at sea level boils at 212°F or 100°C
2.
the point at which one loses one's temper or matters get out of control
boiling point
a situation which has become very tense or dangerous because the people involved are so angry that they are likely to go out of control
Tempers were already close to boiling point as the dispute remained deadlocked forthe ninth day.
Examples of 'boiling point' in a sentence
boiling point
Once she'd got used to the motion and the fact that the temperature was at boiling point, Posy found it all enthralling.
Christina Jones TICKLED PINK (2002)
Abbot looked hard at him, then with an effort brought himself down below boiling point.
Barnard, Robert POLITICAL SUICIDE (2002)
It was a situation that had been brewing to the boiling point.