First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1steel
noun \ˈstēl\
: a strong, hard metal made of iron and carbon
: the industry that makes steel
: things (such as weapons) that are made of steel
Full Definition of STEEL
1
: commercial iron that contains carbon in any amount up to about 1.7 percent as an essential alloying constituent, is malleable when under suitable conditions, and is distinguished from cast iron by its malleability and lower carbon content
2
: an instrument or implement of or characteristically of steel: as a : a thrusting or cutting weapon b : an instrument (as a fluted round rod with a handle) for sharpening knives c : a piece of steel for striking sparks from flint
3
: a quality (as hardness of mind or spirit) that suggests steel <nerves of steel>
4
a : the steel manufacturing industry b plural : shares of stock in steel companies
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Origin of STEEL
Middle English stele, from Old English stȳle, stēle; akin to Old High German stahal steel and perhaps to Sanskrit stakati he resists
Other Metals and Metallurgy Terms
2steel
transitive verb
Definition of STEEL
1
: to overlay, point, or edge with steel
2
a : to cause to resemble steel (as in looks or hardness) b : to fill with resolution or determination <steeled herself to face the crisis>
First Known Use of STEEL
13th century
Related to STEEL
- Synonyms
- bear up, buck up, buoy (up), cheer (up), chirk (up), embolden, hearten, inspire, inspirit, encourage
- Antonyms
- daunt, discourage, dishearten, dispirit
3steel
adjective
Definition of STEEL
1
: made of steel
2
: of or relating to the production of steel
3
: resembling steel
First Known Use of STEEL
13th century
STEELED Defined for Kids
1steel
noun \ˈstēl\
Definition of STEEL for Kids
1
: a hard and tough metal made by treating iron with great heat and mixing carbon with it
2
: an item (as a sword) made of steel
2steel
verb
steeledsteel·ing
Definition of STEEL for Kids
: to fill with courage or determination <I steeled myself for the struggle.>
3steel
adjective
Definition of STEEL for Kids
: made of steel <a steel plow>
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