blast furnace

American  

noun

1. a large vertical furnace for smelting iron from ore, using coke as fuel: designed so as to direct a continuous blast of air through the fuel in order to obtain a high rate of combustion.

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blast furnace British  

noun

1. a vertical cylindrical furnace for smelting iron, copper, lead, and tin ores. The ore, scrap, solid fuel, and slag-forming materials are fed through the top and a blast of preheated air is forced through the charge from the bottom. Metal and slag are run off from the base

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Etymology

Origin of blast furnace

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

The veteran Democratic campaign strategist, who has been described as possessing “a pile-driving personality and blast furnace of a mouth” — by me, actually — has never lacked for strong and colorful opinions.

From Los Angeles Times

It said it now sees signs of rising demand that justify restarting one of Granite City’s two blast furnaces early next year to produce molten iron for steel.

From The Wall Street Journal

Its blast furnaces refined steel used in U.S. battleships and large-caliber guns.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is some concern within government that finding a buyer for British Steel is proving more difficult because the site uses old-fashioned blast furnaces.

From BBC

A year after working his final shift on the blast furnace, ex-steelworker Levi Roberts is operating two smaller ovens - baking pizzas - in a converted horse-box in Port Talbot.

From BBC