# boil down

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. To reduce in volume by boiling.
2. To become reduced (to the most central elements or ingredients: to the essence, core, or implication for action).
3. To reduce (to the most central elements or ingredients: to the essence, core, or implication for action).

## Etymology
As an allusion to the technique of reduction or decreasing liquid content of food by boiling much of its water off.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/boil-down