peeled; peeling; peels
1
: to strip off an outer layer of
peel an orange
2
: to remove by stripping
peel the label off the can
1
a
: to come off in sheets or scales
The paint is peeling.
b
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
His face is peeling.
2
: to take off one's clothes
it got hotter … you had to peel to get relief—
L. M. Uris
L. M. Uris3
: to break away from a group or formation
—often used with off
Like corals, the branches of sponges can peel off and reestablish themselves as new colonies. Natural History
1
: the skin or rind of a fruit or vegetable
banana/lemon/potato peels
2
: a thin layer of organic material that is embedded in a film of collodion and stripped from the surface of an object (such as a plant fossil) for microscopic study
3
: a usually long-handled spade-shaped instrument that is used chiefly by bakers for getting something (such as bread or pies) into or out of the oven
: a medieval small massive fortified tower along the Scottish-English border
called also peel tower
Examples of peel in a Sentence
Verb
They peeled back the sheet to display the new sculpture.
She got sunburned and her back is peeling.
Recent Examples on the Web
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Working quickly, carefully peel cookies off of mat.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
The peel contains insoluble fiber, which supports regularity and helps prevent constipation.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peel
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Verb
Longtime collaborators Barki and Bennani peel back layered modes of storytelling to depict relationships brimming with humor and authenticity.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Working quickly, carefully peel cookies off of mat.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Run citrus peels or pieces through the disposal.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
The peel contains insoluble fiber, which supports regularity and helps prevent constipation.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for peel
Cite this Entry
“Peel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peel. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
peel
1 of 2 verb1
: to strip off an outer layer of
peel an apple
2
: to strip or tear off
peeled off their coats
3
a
: to come off in strips or patches
the paint is peeling
b
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
your face is peeling
peeler
noun
peel
2 of 2 noun
: an outer covering and especially the skin or rind of a fruit
Medical Definition
peel
1 of 2 transitive verb1
: to strip off an outer layer of
2
: to remove (as skin or a blemish) by stripping
1
: to come off in sheets or scales
sunburned skin peels
2
: to lose an outer layer (as of skin)
his face is peeling
peel
2 of 2 nounGeographical Definition
Peel
geographical name
river 425 miles (684 kilometers) long in northwestern Canada rising in western Yukon (territory) and flowing east and north into the Mackenzie River
Biographical Definition
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