melting point

American  

noun

Physical Chemistry.

1. the temperature at which a solid substance melts or fuses.

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melting point British  

noun

1. the temperature at which a solid turns into a liquid. It is equal to the freezing point

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melting point Scientific  

/ mĕl′tĭng /

1. The temperature at which a solid, given sufficient heat, becomes a liquid. For a given substance, the melting point of its solid form is the same as the freezing point of its liquid form, and depends on such factors as the purity of the substance and the surrounding pressure. The melting point of ice at a pressure of one atmosphere is 0°C (32°F); that of iron is 1,535°C (2,795°F).

2. See also state of matter

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melting point Cultural  

1. The temperature at which a given material changes from a solid to a liquid, or melts; the same temperature as freezing point. (See phases of matter.)

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Discover More

Ice melts at thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (see also Fahrenheit) or zero degrees Celsius.

Etymology

Origin of melting point

First recorded in 1835–45

Compare meaning

How does melting-point compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• melting point vs. boiling point

Example Sentences

By lowering the melting point and viscosity of mantle rocks, the water helped drive internal circulation and plate motion, giving the planet long-term geological energy.

From Science Daily • Dec. 26, 2025

It appears to be happening at the boundary of the inner and outer core, where the inner core is close to melting point.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2025

Warm enough, in fact, that one might not need to dig very deep to reach ambient temperatures above the melting point of water.

From Scientific American • Mar. 30, 2023

A similar story played out on the planet’s other side, with ice around the North Pole nearing or reaching its melting point at a time once considered unthinkably early.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2023

“It has a high melting point and good tensile strength too. Expensive stuff though. Take some time to drill and shape. C’mon.”

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam