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 WebMary Rourke, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
These work together to stimulate growth while minimizing dryness and peeling.
—Kayla Hui, Mph, Verywell Health, 13 May 2024
English cucumber, peeled 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish (from 1 [1-oz.] package)
2 Tbsp. sour cream
1/4 tsp.
—Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 12 May 2024
Think of every insight and lesson as a chance to peel back the layers of an onion.
—Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024
Diana peeled crab for Jamie’s mixed grill entree as a kid, and returned to do kitchen prep while enrolled in American River College’s culinary arts program, mostly to spend time with her mom.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 10 May 2024
The actual peeling back of layers is generally less wild (though the one formally experimental episode playing with our three protagonists’ perspectives is probably my favorite of the season), less amusing, less provocative and less thrilling, but perhaps more emotionally grounded.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2024
Some people peel fruits and vegetables to get rid of pesticide residue.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2024
Other common issues in Jackson County rentals include mold and mildew, which can lead to asthma and respiratory problems, and peeling or chipping paint, which can cause harmful lead exposure.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2024
Annie Blay, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024
Brilliant straw colored, this enticing wine has aromas of mandarin peel, citrus blossom, and white peach.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
Pro tip: Use bananas whose peels have gone mostly black for the best flavor.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
A little more than a third of each bag is food scraps: vegetable peels, moldy berries, unwanted tuna salad—organic matter that, in another city, might have been composted.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
This bundle includes three accessories—a pizza peel, a cutter, and a thermometer—yet the price ends up the same as the oven alone thanks to the coupon code.
—Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024
Add milk mixture and lemon peel; cook, whisking until foamy.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024
More flavor spikes to have on hand Aleppo pepper, smoked paprika, brewer’s yeast, lime and lemon juice, grated lemon peel, fish sauce, Parmesan cheese rinds, finishing salts.
—Michelle Huneven, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
The at-home treatment is one of the most budget-friendly and highly effective peels.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Verb
Reviewers often linked the two writers’ names, partly because both had mastered a subtle peeling back of layers to reveal their characters.
—Mary Rourke, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
These work together to stimulate growth while minimizing dryness and peeling.
—Kayla Hui, Mph, Verywell Health, 13 May 2024
English cucumber, peeled 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish (from 1 [1-oz.] package)
2 Tbsp. sour cream
1/4 tsp.
—Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 12 May 2024
Think of every insight and lesson as a chance to peel back the layers of an onion.
—Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024
Diana peeled crab for Jamie’s mixed grill entree as a kid, and returned to do kitchen prep while enrolled in American River College’s culinary arts program, mostly to spend time with her mom.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 10 May 2024
The actual peeling back of layers is generally less wild (though the one formally experimental episode playing with our three protagonists’ perspectives is probably my favorite of the season), less amusing, less provocative and less thrilling, but perhaps more emotionally grounded.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2024
Some people peel fruits and vegetables to get rid of pesticide residue.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2024
Other common issues in Jackson County rentals include mold and mildew, which can lead to asthma and respiratory problems, and peeling or chipping paint, which can cause harmful lead exposure.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2024
Noun
After an hour-long facial (prices start at $159) which included thorough extractions and a pumpkin enzyme peel, my skin was transformed.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024
Brilliant straw colored, this enticing wine has aromas of mandarin peel, citrus blossom, and white peach.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
Pro tip: Use bananas whose peels have gone mostly black for the best flavor.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
A little more than a third of each bag is food scraps: vegetable peels, moldy berries, unwanted tuna salad—organic matter that, in another city, might have been composted.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
This bundle includes three accessories—a pizza peel, a cutter, and a thermometer—yet the price ends up the same as the oven alone thanks to the coupon code.
—Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024
Add milk mixture and lemon peel; cook, whisking until foamy.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024
More flavor spikes to have on hand Aleppo pepper, smoked paprika, brewer’s yeast, lime and lemon juice, grated lemon peel, fish sauce, Parmesan cheese rinds, finishing salts.
—Michelle Huneven, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
The at-home treatment is one of the most budget-friendly and highly effective peels.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peel.' 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 peel
Cite this Entry
“Peel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peel. Accessed 18 May. 2024.
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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