nonferrous
Americanadjective
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(of a metal) containing little or no iron.
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noting or pertaining to metals other than iron or steel.
adjective
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denoting any metal other than iron
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not containing iron
a nonferrous alloy
Etymology
Origin of nonferrous
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.
Prices for primary nonferrous metals were 1.1% higher than the month before, with unwrought aluminum and aluminum allows rising a third successive month and copper also up notably.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
In one part of the conveyor system, a vibrating panel called an eddy current creates a sort of reverse magnet that repels nonferrous materials like aluminum beverage cans into their own collection area.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
The recycler of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal reported weak fiscal second-quarter earnings.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 5, 2023
They were made of wood, nonferrous metal and wire.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 8, 2023
Ferrous metallurgy was among the five largest investment recipients through 1967, but nonferrous metallurgy dropped from this group after 1964.
From Area Handbook for Bulgaria by Baluyut, Violeta D.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
