hot metal

American

noun

Printing.

metallic type and printing elements produced by a casting machine; foundry type.

hot metal British

noun

1. metallic type cast into shape in the molten state
2. ( as modifier )
  
  hot-metal printing

"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

Etymology

Origin of hot metal

First recorded in 1955–60

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.

Many factories, including Tesla’s, rely on robotic arms to do heavy lifting or dangerous tasks like moving hot metal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

The arc flash caused hot metal fragments to drop and ignite dried brush, the investigators said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2025

As well as its financial concerns, Tata Steel has said it would be a safety risk to begin construction while hot metal was still being produced on site.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2024

Foam handles protect vulnerable hands from hot metal knobs on exterior doors.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 18, 2023

Josie barely managed to land on her feet out on the hot metal slats of the fire escape.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023