bronze

American  

[bronz] / brɒnz /

noun

1. Metallurgy.

   1. any of various alloys consisting essentially of copper and tin, the tin content not exceeding 11 percent.

   2. any of various other alloys having a large copper content.

2. a metallic brownish color.

3. a work of art, as a statue, statuette, bust, or medal, composed of bronze.

4. Numismatics. a coin made of bronze, especially one from the Roman Empire.

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verb (used with object)

bronzes, present (3rd person singular) bronzed, past participle, past bronzing present participle

1. to give the appearance or color of bronze to.

2. to make brown, as by exposure to the sun.

   The sun bronzed his face.

3. Printing.

   1. to apply a fine metallic powder to (the ink of a printed surface) in order to create a glossy effect.

   2. to apply a fine metallic powder to (areas of a reproduction proof on acetate) in order to increase opacity.

adjective

1. having the color bronze.

bronze British  

/ brɒnz /

noun

1. 1. any hard water-resistant alloy consisting of copper and smaller proportions of tin and sometimes zinc and lead

   2. any similar copper alloy containing other elements in place of tin, such as aluminium bronze, beryllium bronze, etc See also phosphor bronze gunmetal Compare brass

2. a yellowish-brown colour or pigment

3. a statue, medal, or other object made of bronze

4. short for bronze medal

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adjective

1. made of or resembling bronze

2. of a yellowish-brown colour

   a bronze skin

verb

1. (esp of the skin) to make or become brown; tan

2. (tr) to give the appearance of bronze to

bronze Scientific  

/ brŏnz /

1. A yellow or brown alloy of copper and tin, sometimes with small amounts of other metals such as lead or zinc. Bronze is harder than brass and is used both in industry and in art.

2. An alloy of copper and certain metals other than tin, such as aluminum.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• quasi-bronze
  adjective
• unbronzed
  adjective
• bronzelike
  adjective
• prebronze
  adjective
• bronzy
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have bronzed
  perfect
• has bronzed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are bronzing
  progressive
• has been bronzing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is bronzing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• bronzes
  singular 3rd person
• am bronzing
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been bronzing
  perfect progressive
• bronzing
  participle

Past

• had bronzed
  perfect
• were bronzing
  progressive plural
• had been bronzing
  perfect progressive
• bronzed
  simple
• bronzed
  participle
• was bronzing
  progressive singular

Future

• will bronze
  simple
• will have bronzed
  perfect
• will have been bronzing
  perfect progressive
• will be bronzing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of bronze

1730–40; < French < Italian, of obscure origin

Explanation

Bronze is a dull gold-colored metal that's used to make musical instruments, sculptures, and coins. If you get a bronze medal in the Olympics, you came in third place — nice job! Bronze is an alloy of copper, tin, and other metals. For a long time, pennies were made of bronze (today they use zinc). Cymbals, bells, and gongs are traditionally crafted using bronze, and you'll get tired of counting the many bronze sculptures found in most art museums. As a verb, this word is frequently used to mean "tan," so while you burn when you forget your sunblock, your cousin tends to bronze to a burnished shade of brown.

Example Sentences

Remember, it’s gold leaf: Below the gilding, the rest of the figure is made of bronze.

From Slate • Jun. 2, 2026

The Bell Beaker people rapidly expanded and rippled out further in all directions, creating the bronze age of central Europe.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2026

But co-pays are higher for bronze plans — $60 for primary care visits versus $50 for silver plan visits.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

It is a team using state-of-the-art 3D imagery who reassemble—virtually—one of the more puzzling objects uncovered: a “divine tree” of bronze that was found in more than 200 pieces, in separate pits.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

A fellow Symiote, Oikonomou took Kontos and Stadiatis, along with the bronze arm that had been salvaged, to meet the Greek Minister of Education, Spyridon Stais.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler