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ferrous

American  
[fer-uhs] / ˈfɛr əs /

adjective

Chemistry.
  1. of or containing iron, especially in the bivalent state.


ferrous British  
/ ˈfɛrəs /

adjective

  1. of or containing iron in the divalent state; designating an iron (II) compound

"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

ferrous Scientific  
/ fĕrəs /
  1. Containing iron, especially iron with a valence of 2.

  2. Compare ferric


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of ferrous

1860–65; < Latin ferr ( um ) iron + -ous

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Price indexes for industries such as textiles, chemical fibers, rubber and plastic products, and ferrous metal smelting and pressing remained above 55.0 for three straight months, Huo said Sunday in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto also announced controls on exports of crude palm oil, coal and ferrous alloy as the country battles the economic headwinds fuelled by the Middle East war.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

The newly identified ferric hydroxysulfate has a crystal structure similar to szomolnokite, a monohydrated ferrous sulfate.

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

The recycler of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal posted revenue of $672.9 million in the period.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 4, 2024

Large ferrous appliances, such as the wheeled metal canisters for liquid nitrogen known as Dewar flasks, had to be chained in place.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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