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)

bronzed, bronzing

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

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

Etymology

Origin of bronze

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

Example Sentences

It covers the early production of bronze – a copper and tin alloy – up to the first uses of iron.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The British pair, who won bronze at last year's World Championships, missed out on a medal at the Winter Olympics last month because of a costly mistake in their free dance routine.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Fear and Gibson were third after the rhythm dance and looked to have secured bronze in Saturday's free dance but were penalised for an "illegal element" by the judges.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

But Hocker had no response to Kerr's dash for gold and had to settle for silver, with Frenchman Yann Schrub taking bronze.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Of all the items described, none captured the public’s attention as much as the huge, full bronze statue of a handsome Greek young man that immediately became known as “The Antikythera Youth.”

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler