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
Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Since most of these scalding waters are too hot to swim in, the next best option is the Firehole Swim Area, located along the Firehole River and fed by thermal activity below the surface.
—Talia Avakian, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
Helen Branswell, STAT, 11 May 2026
Place one-half cup cream in a sauce pot and bring up to a scald.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 19 May 2026
Seven steam nozzles run through the brush head to ensure each section gets an even hit of vapor, and the anti-scald design keeps strands away from direct heat, shielding them from unnecessary damage—especially at higher temps.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scald
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Verb
Momentum is scalding hot with an RSI reading at 83 to end the week.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Since most of these scalding waters are too hot to swim in, the next best option is the Firehole Swim Area, located along the Firehole River and fed by thermal activity below the surface.
—Talia Avakian, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
Noun
Depending on the species and the part of the animals’ bodies that are affected, the disease is sometimes known as rain scald or rain rot, grease heal, and strawberry foot rot.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 11 May 2026
Place one-half cup cream in a sauce pot and bring up to a scald.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Sean MacGinnis also suggests adding an anti-scald lock to shower faucets.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 19 May 2026
Seven steam nozzles run through the brush head to ensure each section gets an even hit of vapor, and the anti-scald design keeps strands away from direct heat, shielding them from unnecessary damage—especially at higher temps.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scald
Cite this Entry
“Scald.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scald. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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