nonferrous

[ non-fer-uhs ]

adjective
  1. (of a metal) containing little or no iron.

  2. noting or pertaining to metals other than iron or steel.

Origin of nonferrous

1
First recorded in 1885–90; non- + ferrous

Words Nearby nonferrous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use nonferrous in a sentence

  • Information on basic nonferrous ore reserves is tenuous and, in part, conflicting.

    Area Handbook for Romania | Eugene K. Keefe, Donald W. Bernier, Lyle E. Brenneman, William Giloane, James M. Moore, and Neda A. Walpole
  • The lowest growth rates among basic industries were attained by the timber and woodworking industry and nonferrous metallurgy.

    Area Handbook for Bulgaria | Eugene K. Keefe, Violeta D. Baluyut, William Giloane, Anne K. Long, James M. Moore, and Neda A. Walpole
  • The average wholesale prices of other primary goods, such as nonferrous metals, have fallen to 76 per cent of 1928.

  • Among the slowest growing branches were timber and wood processing, textiles, nonferrous metallurgy, and food processing.

    Area Handbook for Bulgaria | Eugene K. Keefe, Violeta D. Baluyut, William Giloane, Anne K. Long, James M. Moore, and Neda A. Walpole
  • Reserves of nonferrous metals are reported to be more plentiful than reserves of iron ore.

    Area Handbook for Bulgaria | Eugene K. Keefe, Violeta D. Baluyut, William Giloane, Anne K. Long, James M. Moore, and Neda A. Walpole

British Dictionary definitions for nonferrous

nonferrous

/ (ˌnɒnˈfɛrəs) /


adjective
  1. denoting any metal other than iron

  2. not containing iron: a nonferrous alloy

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