melting point

American  

noun

Physical Chemistry.

1. the temperature at which a solid substance melts or fuses.

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melting point British  

noun

1. the temperature at which a solid turns into a liquid. It is equal to the freezing point

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melting point Scientific  

/ mĕl′tĭng /

1. The temperature at which a solid, given sufficient heat, becomes a liquid. For a given substance, the melting point of its solid form is the same as the freezing point of its liquid form, and depends on such factors as the purity of the substance and the surrounding pressure. The melting point of ice at a pressure of one atmosphere is 0°C (32°F); that of iron is 1,535°C (2,795°F).

2. See also state of matter

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melting point Cultural  

1. The temperature at which a given material changes from a solid to a liquid, or melts; the same temperature as freezing point. (See phases of matter.)

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Discover More

Ice melts at thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (see also Fahrenheit) or zero degrees Celsius.

Etymology

Origin of melting point

First recorded in 1835–45

Compare meaning

How does melting-point compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• melting point vs. boiling point

Example Sentences

Tungsten has the highest melting point of any element, while graphene, a single-atom-thick sheet of carbon, is known for its exceptional strength and heat resistance.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

Warm enough, in fact, that one might not need to dig very deep to reach ambient temperatures above the melting point of water.

From Scientific American • Mar. 30, 2023

If you've mashed your way through a vegan burger that started off juicy, but then turned to sawdust, the melting point may be the culprit.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2023

The scientists behind the study, who published their findings Wednesday in the journal Matter, created the robot using a composite of metals with a low melting point.

From Washington Post • Jan. 26, 2023

“It has a high melting point and good tensile strength too. Expensive stuff though. Take some time to drill and shape. C’mon.”

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam