First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French aloi, Old French alei, noun derivative of aleier “to combine,” from Latin alligāre “to bind up,” equivalent to al- “toward” (see al-) + ligāre “to bind” (see ally, ligament); replacing earlier allay, Middle English, from Anglo-French allai

OTHER WORDS FROM alloy

un·al·loyed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alloy

allay, alley, alloy , ally

Words nearby alloy

allowedly, allow for, alloxan, alloxuremia, alloxuria, alloy, alloyed junction, alloy steel, allozyme, all-pass, all-points bulletin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for alloy

The best elastocaloric materials so far are shape memory alloys.
The Shape-Shifting Squeeze Coolers|Marcus Woo|August 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine
When an external force pushes on the alloy while it’s in its rigid phase, the metal transitions to its pliable, lower-entropy phase.
The Shape-Shifting Squeeze Coolers|Marcus Woo|August 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Once the force is removed, the alloy returns to its rigid, higher-entropy phase.
The Shape-Shifting Squeeze Coolers|Marcus Woo|August 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine
In an air conditioner or refrigerator, you would then have to quickly remove this heat while keeping the alloy in its pliable, low-entropy phase.
The Shape-Shifting Squeeze Coolers|Marcus Woo|August 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine

Led by Jeehwan Kim, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, the researchers borrowed from principles of metallurgy to fabricate each memristor from alloys of silver and copper, along with silicon.
Brain on a chip|Katie McLean|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
In 2012, Li allegedly supplied the Iranians with 20,000 kilos of steel pipe and 1,300 aluminum alloy tubes.
Tehran’s Chinese Missile Man|Jefferson Morley|June 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The same is now true with Barack Obama but on steroids, with the added alloy of race inserted into the mix.
The Obama Haters Book Club: The Canon Swells|John Avlon|October 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The zirconium alloy will react with water to produce hydrogen and oxide, but it also produces heat that has to be removed.
Japan Nuclear Crisis: What Is a Full Meltdown?|Josh Dzieza|March 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It shows a simple mind to acknowledge at court the smallest alloy of common blood, and not to set up for a nobleman.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre|Jean de La Bruyre
The buckets, Fig. 3, are formed of some easily melted, but not too soft metal alloy which can be cast in plaster molds.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
An alloy is a mixture or medley, anything allowed is according to law, and hallow is the same word as holy.
Archaic England|Harold Bayley
A good deal of Vanadium alloy is used, and this is made in America.
A Journey Through France in War Time|Joseph G. Butler, Jr.
Of the two latter they formed an alloy, and made tools of the bronze.
Mexico|Charles Reginald Enock

British Dictionary definitions for alloy

alloy

noun (ˈælɔɪ, əˈlɔɪ)

a metallic material, such as steel, brass, or bronze, consisting of a mixture of two or more metals or of metallic elements with nonmetallic elements. Alloys often have physical properties markedly different from those of the pure metals

something that impairs the quality or reduces the value of the thing to which it is added

verb (əˈlɔɪ) (tr)

to add (one metal or element to another metal or element) to obtain a substance with a desired property

to debase (a pure substance) by mixing with an inferior element

to diminish or impair

Word Origin for alloy

C16: from Old French aloi a mixture, from aloier to combine, from Latin alligāre, from ligāre to bind

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

Medical definitions for alloy

alloy

[ ăl′oi′, ə-loi′ ]

n.

A homogeneous mixture or solid solution of two or more metals, the atoms of one replacing or occupying interstitial positions between the atoms of the other.

Scientific definitions for alloy

alloy

[ ăl′oi′ ]

A metallic substance made by mixing and fusing two or more metals, or a metal and a nonmetal, to obtain desirable qualities such as hardness, lightness, and strength. Brass, bronze, and steel are all alloys.

Cultural definitions for alloy

alloy

[ (al-oy, uh-loy) ]

A material made of two or more metals, or of a metal and another material. For example, brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Alloys often have unexpected characteristics. In the examples given above, brass is stronger than either copper or zinc, and steel is stronger than either iron or carbon.

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alloy