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 WebAlexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 9 July 2024
In India’s capital, New Delhi, this summer has been so hot — above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) even at night — that people are gasping, the tap water is scalding, and the walls of their homes emit heat like radiators.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 4 July 2024
The city Buildings Department issued a vacate order for the apartment where the boy was scalded.
—Liam Quigley, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2024
Thousands of Missourians with mental health disabilities are unnecessarily trapped in nursing homes against their will because of systemic failures by the state, according to a scalding report from the Department of Justice.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for scald 
Verb
Travelers usually worried about either hotel security or bed bugs have a new health and safety concern when checking in, thanks to a horrific incident at a Northern Kentucky Econo Lodge: scalding hot showers.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 9 July 2024
In India’s capital, New Delhi, this summer has been so hot — above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) even at night — that people are gasping, the tap water is scalding, and the walls of their homes emit heat like radiators.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 4 July 2024
The city Buildings Department issued a vacate order for the apartment where the boy was scalded.
—Liam Quigley, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2024
Thousands of Missourians with mental health disabilities are unnecessarily trapped in nursing homes against their will because of systemic failures by the state, according to a scalding report from the Department of Justice.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for scald
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scald.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scald
Cite this Entry
“Scald.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scald. Accessed 15 Jul. 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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