pewter

American  

[pyoo-ter] / ˈpju tər /

noun

• pewters
  plural

1. any of various alloys in which tin is the chief constituent, originally one of tin and lead.

2. a container or utensil made of such an alloy.

3. such utensils collectively.

   a revival of interest in pewter.

4. British Slang.

   1. a cup awarded as a prize or trophy, as in a sporting event.

   2. prize money.

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adjective

1. consisting or made of pewter.

   a pewter mug.

pewter British  

/ ˈpjuːtə /

noun

1. 1. any of various alloys containing tin (80–90 per cent), lead (10–20 per cent), and sometimes small amounts of other metals, such as copper and antimony

   2. ( as modifier )

      pewter ware

      a pewter tankard

2. 1. a bluish-grey colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      pewter tights

3. plate or kitchen utensils made from pewter

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pewterer
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• pewters
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of pewter

1325–75; Middle English pewtre < Middle French peutre < Vulgar Latin *piltrum; perhaps akin to spelter

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Explanation

Pewter is a silver-colored metal that's been used for decorative objects and plates, cups, and bowls since ancient times. It was once common to use pewter to make lidded tankards for drinking and large cauldrons for cooking. Pewter is a metal alloy, which means it's a combination of several kinds of metal. There's always tin and copper in pewter, and it once commonly included lead, which we now know is dangerous for humans to consume. As a result, much antique pewter tableware isn't considered safe to use, although it's an attractive decoration. Pewter made today doesn't contain lead, but it's still most often used in candlesticks, picture frames, and other decorative objects.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pewter pewters

The silver, pewter and brass items were taken from the 16th Century manor house at Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire, on 30 July.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

The piece takes inspiration from Chinese fretwork patterns, Art Noveau designs and German sculptor Hugo Leven’s iconic pewter bat candelabras.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026

The work, with a handsome design by Mr. Loquasto, features what look like sheets of pewter leaf hanging from clotheslines, beneath and through which eight dancers in dusky-hued unitards come and go.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 17, 2025

There was a claw-foot tub with pewter fixtures, a charmingly messy bookshelf window-seat, a kitchen painted a cool green.

From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2024

A pewter tankard with its handle missing held all the pencils and pens.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Well, I'm sick with envy of the fellow," said Starr, "and I for one daren't trust myself any longer, especially on an empty stomach, among his pewters and blue beasts and brasses.

From The Chauffeur and the Chaperon by Karl Anderson

In return, Tammas, whose forte lay in invective and alliteration, called him behind his back, "A wenomous one!" and "A wiralent wiper!" to the applause of tinkling pewters.

From Bob, Son of Battle by Alfred Ollivant

One of the houses bore a bush, and I saw two men peering at us through the open window, pewters in hand.

From The Maid-At-Arms by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers

Jabez slowly lifted his eyes from the pewters he was washing, and a broad smile crossed his face.

From A Son of Hagar A Romance of Our Time by Sir Hall Caine

I go in in the scratch fours for the pewters, and—more by token—my crew won them two years running.

From Tom Brown at Oxford by Thomas Hughes

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