steel
any of various modified forms of iron, artificially produced, having a carbon content less than that of pig iron and more than that of wrought iron, and having qualities of hardness, elasticity, and strength varying according to composition and heat treatment: generally categorized as having a high, medium, or low-carbon content.
a thing or things made of this metal.
a flat strip of this metal used for stiffening, especially in corsets; stay.
a bar of this metal that has one end formed to hold a bit for driving through rock.
steels, stocks or bonds of companies producing this metal.
a sword.
a rounded rod of ridged steel, fitted with a handle and used especially for sharpening knives.
pertaining to or made of steel.
like steel in color, hardness, or strength.
to fit with steel, as by pointing, edging, or overlaying.
to cause to resemble steel in some way.
to render insensible, inflexible, unyielding, determined, etc.: He steeled himself to perform the dangerous task.
Origin of steel
1Other words from steel
- steellike, adjective
- pre·steel, noun, adjective
Words that may be confused with steel
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use steel in a sentence
It requires 32,000 gallons of water to produce the steel for an average passenger car.
Trying to shop sustainably? Here’s what you need to consider. | Sarah Kaplan | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostIf your sword hits a wooden shield, your controller will vibrate softer than against brassy, grinding steel shields and walls.
‘Demon’s Souls’ review: The ideal PlayStation 5 launch game | Gene Park | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostThe chairs, which also come in light green or gray, are made of powder-coated steel and can be paired with a cushion for added comfort.
Shopping with the pros: The Madcap Cottage team chooses favorites from Terrain | Mari-Jane Williams | November 19, 2020 | Washington PostEven after dozens of hours testing the durability of water bottles over the years, I am still amazed at the strength of stainless-steel containers.
Spear shafts are generally made of spring steel to help prevent bending, and they come in a variety of thicknesses.
Take a stab at spearfishing with these tips | Same Romano/Outdoor Life | November 16, 2020 | Popular-Science
“The Muslim Brotherhood is steeling for a fight,” says Trager, of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
I moved back to the city and my two on-again off-again guys, steeling myself for hopeless fix-ups, just in case love might strike.
So perhaps the population was silently steeling itself for another Great Disappointment.
Steeling his nerves, which quivered a moment in spite of his will, he opened the window and stepped out on to the balcony.
The Empty House And Other Ghost Stories | Algernon BlackwoodHe was sick of the bareness and privation of all things connected with his venture, but was steeling himself to hold out.
Sister Carrie | Theodore DreiserI turned to her, steeling myself to look into her appealing eyes.
Gordon Craig | Randall ParrishHe followed behind, steeling his soul to meet those victims of the complicated plot.
The Skipper and the Skipped | Holman DayFortunately for them it is impossible to develop the body without at the same time steeling the will.
Oscar Wilde, Volume 1 (of 2) | Frank Harris
British Dictionary definitions for steel (1 of 2)
/ (stiːl) /
any of various alloys based on iron containing carbon (usually 0.1–1.7 per cent) and often small quantities of other elements such as phosphorus, sulphur, manganese, chromium, and nickel. Steels exhibit a variety of properties, such as strength, machinability, malleability, etc, depending on their composition and the way they have been treated
(as modifier): steel girders See also stainless steel
something that is made of steel
a steel stiffener in a corset, etc
a ridged steel rod with a handle used for sharpening knives
the quality of hardness, esp with regard to a person's character or attitudes
stock exchange the quotation for steel shares: See also steels
(modifier) resembling steel: steel determination
to fit, plate, edge, or point with steel
to make hard and unfeeling: he steeled his heart against her sorrow; he steeled himself for the blow
Origin of steel
1Derived forms of steel
- steely, adjective
- steeliness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Steel (2 of 2)
/ (stiːl) /
Danielle, full name Danielle Fernande Schüelein-Steel. born 1950, US writer of romantic fiction
Baron David (Martin Scott). born 1938, British politician; leader of the Liberal Party (1976–88); Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament (1999–2003)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for steel
[ stēl ]
Any of various hard, strong, flexible alloys of iron and carbon. Often, other metals are added to give steel a particular property, such as chromium and nickel to make it stainless. Steel is widely used in many kinds of tools and as a structural material in building.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with steel
In addition to the idiom beginning with steel
- steel one's heart against
also see:
- mind like a steel trap
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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