stainless steel

noun

1. alloy steel containing 12 percent or more chromium, so as to be resistant to rust and attack from various chemicals.

stainless steel

noun

1. 1. a type of steel resistant to corrosion as a result of the presence of large amounts of chromium (12–15 per cent). The carbon content depends on the application, being 0.2–0.4 per cent for steel used in cutlery, etc, and about 1 per cent for use in scalpels and razor blades
   2. ( as modifier )

      stainless-steel cutlery

stainless steel

/ stān′lĭs /

1. Any of various alloys of iron that contain chromium, nickel, and small amounts of carbon. They may also contain minor amounts of other elements, such as molybdenum. Stainless steel is resistant to rusting and corrosion.

Word History and Origins

Origin of stainless steel¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

When a soup spoon slid into my churning garbage disposal, the disposal won, leaving a mangled heap of stainless steel roadkill.

From Washington Post

This stainless steel mug comes in gold, copper, and silver ceramic finishes, and thanks to its IPX7 rating, it’s perfectly safe to hand wash.

From Popular-Science

The gold-plated five-way binding posts and aluminum bracket are made with stainless steel and brass hardware, and are guaranteed not to rust.

From Popular-Science

You’ll primarily find trimmers for men with a stainless steel, chromium, or titanium blade for a long-lasting, rust-free trim.

From Popular-Science

Each one is made of sturdy, thick stainless steel and has holes for easy wall mounting on hooks, making them long-lasting and versatile for any measuring projects.

From Popular-Science

Then, from a pocket inside his camouflage top, he pulled a hidden stainless steel flask.

From The Daily Beast

These sculptures are in his typical style—figures molded out of colorful stainless steel with striking luminosity.

From The Daily Beast

Manufacturers, says the Wall Street Journal, are on a full-fledged hunt for the next stainless steel.

From The Daily Beast

Are we finally nearing the end of stainless steel's kitchen dominance?

From The Daily Beast

Just as we had the housing bubble, we now seem to be at the apex of the stainless steel bubble.

From The Daily Beast

Swanson reluctantly followed him through the tangled aisles of stainless steel columns and tanks.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a little stainless-steel aerosol canister that looked for all the world like a pepper-spray self-defense unit.

From Project Gutenberg

It was strictly hospital all right; sere white and stainless steel as far as my esper could reach.

From Project Gutenberg

So far as I could see, I was as useless to either side as a coat of protective paint laid on stainless steel.

From Project Gutenberg

Inside the measuring cup is a chrome or stainless steel dish, fitting the sides of the cup very tightly.

From Project Gutenberg