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

A pewter tankard, a wooden junction box and a faded box containing six Christmas cards were included in the haul.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 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

He raised himself up upon the bolster, and I slipped a pewter bowl beneath his arm.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

That's what we used to sing in the Lane, yer know; should 'ave seen the coster gals with their feathers, dancing and clinking their pewters.

From Esther Waters by George (George Augustus) Moore

In an instant there is uproar: the merry applause of clinking pewters; the stamping of feet; the rattle of sticks.

From Bob, Son of Battle by Alfred Ollivant

Pipe-racks of oak were screwed into the wainscoting under long shelves, well stored with pewters, glass tankards, punch-bowls, and tobacco-jars.

From Cardigan by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers

The Strand was kept alive by a few slip-shod housemaids, on their marrow-bones, washing the doorsteps, or ogling the neighbouring pot-boy on his morning errand for the pewters.

From Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities by Robert Smith Surtees

Seated on the benches were a number of men, women, and girls, all with pewters or glasses before them, and the air was thickening with smoke of pipes.

From Thyrza by George Gissing

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