1. to purify a liquid by heating it to produce vapor and then cooling and condensing the vapor
Usage: also spelled 'distill' in U.S. English
2. to extract the essential meaning or most important elements from something
Usage: figurative use
3. to fall or let fall in drops
Usage: archaic or literary

Examples

• The chemist will distil the mixture to separate the alcohol from the water.
• The report distils years of research into a few key findings.
• The essence of her argument can be distilled into one simple statement.
• Water distils from the cooling apparatus drop by drop.
• The company distils its brand values into three core principles.
• Whiskey is made by distilling grain and aging it in barrels.