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
Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The result is a precise, scalding mist that can be aimed at a predator’s face.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Wrap the trunk of very young trees to help protect them from sun scald, making sure to remove it after the last frost in spring.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2024
Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
See All Example Sentences for scald
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Verb
Following the medical examiner’s determination that Terril Johnson’s cause of death was severe scalding burns, the family had a private pathologist perform an autopsy, the complaint says.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The result is a precise, scalding mist that can be aimed at a predator’s face.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Applying a thin layer of lawn soil might help protect the green runners from sun scald but is probably not necessary.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Wrap the trunk of very young trees to help protect them from sun scald, making sure to remove it after the last frost in spring.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Several comics made light of high-risk behavior with flames, scald injury, contact injury, or burns.
—Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
See All Example Sentences for scald
Cite this Entry
“Scald.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scald. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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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