rust
noun
the red or orange coating that forms on the surface of iron when exposed to air and moisture, consisting chiefly of ferric hydroxide and ferric oxide formed by oxidation.
rusted
-
past participleof rust.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof rust.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
rustnounthe red or orange coating that forms on the surface of iron when exposed to air and moisture, consisting chiefly of ferric hydroxide and ferric oxide formed by oxidation.
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.
The rusted, twisted metal became a means, the authors write, for “communities far from New York to establish a physical bond through these remnants of destruction.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
"This is a Tour de France original bicycle," from 1979, the 73-year-old added, holding up a piece of a rusted frame.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
Nobody knows how, since the bell’s been chained up for such a long time that the metal links have rusted.
From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2026
While trimming back Valerie's hedges and clearing brambles, the 24-year-old spotted a rusted, 50cm device that looked "almost like a mortar stood up on its tail".
From BBC ● May 28, 2026
Half a mile down the road, Dicey saw the mailbox, dented, rusted, its post awry; llerma was all that remained of sloppily painted black letters.
From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt
