pewter

American  

[pyoo-ter] / ˈpyu tər /

noun

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

• pewterer noun

Etymology

Origin of pewter

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

Example Sentences

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

Instead of pewter, Charrière employs polished stainless steel panels, the largest more than seven feet tall.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2023

The team’s primary colors have been red and pewter since 1997.

From Washington Times • Oct. 16, 2023

All remains are thought to be pre-19th Century and some sites have remains of clothing such as waistcoats and bone and pewter buttons.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2022

“That’s the rule with soldiers. Take the good pewter out to the barn and hide it in the hay.”

From "My Brother Sam is Dead" by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier