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.
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
Sulfuric acid is the most consumed chemical on the planet, produced by smelting and refining nonferrous metals, such as copper and nickel, or by burning sulfur, a byproduct of oil-and-gas processing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026
The recycler of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal reported weak fiscal third-quarter revenue.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 27, 2023
They were made of wood, nonferrous metal and wire.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 8, 2023
Information on basic nonferrous ore reserves is tenuous and, in part, conflicting.
From Area Handbook for Romania by Bernier, Donald W.
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.
