rust

[ ruhst ]

/ rʌst /

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See synonyms for: rust / rusted / ruster / rustest on Thesaurus.com

noun

Also called iron rust . 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.

any film or coating on metal caused by oxidation.

a stain resembling this coating.

any growth, habit, influence, or agency tending to injure, deteriorate, or impair the mind, character, abilities, usefulness, etc.

Plant Pathology.

any of several diseases of plants, characterized by reddish, brownish, or black pustules on the leaves, stems, etc., caused by fungi of the order Uredinales.
Also called rust fungus . a fungus causing this disease.
any of several other diseases of unknown cause, characterized by reddish-brown spots or discolorations on the affected parts.

reddish yellow, reddish brown, or yellowish red.

verb (used without object)

to become or grow rusty, as iron.

to contract rust.

to deteriorate or become impaired, as through inaction or disuse.

to become rust-colored.

verb (used with object)

to affect with rust.

to impair as if with rust.

to make rust-colored.

adjective

having the color rust.

Verb Phrases

rust out, (of metal pipes, machinery, etc.) to decay and become unusable through the action of rust.

rust through, to develop holes, breaks, or the like, because of rust.

rust together, to join two metal pieces, as iron pipes, by causing the joint to rust.

OTHER WORDS FOR rust

2 corrosion.

9 decay, decline.

See synonyms for rust on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of rust

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English rūst; cognate with German Rost; (v.) Middle English rusten, derivative of the noun; akin to red¹

OTHER WORDS FROM rust

de·rust, verb (used with object)un·rust, verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for rust

rust

/ (rʌst) /

noun

a reddish-brown oxide coating formed on iron or steel by the action of oxygen and moisture

Also called: rust fungus plant pathol

any basidiomycetous fungus of the order Uredinales, parasitic on cereal plants, conifers, etc
any of various plant diseases characterized by reddish-brown discoloration of the leaves and stem, esp that caused by the rust fungi

a strong brown colour, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish tinge
(as adjective)a rust carpet

any corrosive or debilitating influence, esp lack of use

verb

to become or cause to become coated with a layer of rust

to deteriorate or cause to deteriorate through some debilitating influence or lack of usehe allowed his talent to rust over the years

Derived forms of rust

rustless, adjective

Word Origin for rust

Old English rūst; related to Old Saxon, Old High German rost

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

Scientific definitions for rust

rust

[ rŭst ]

Noun

Any of the various reddish-brown oxides of iron that form on iron and many of its alloys when they are exposed to oxygen in the presence of moisture.

Any of various basidiomycete fungi that are parasitic on plants and produce reddish or brownish spots on leaves. Rusts attack a wide variety of plants and can cause enormous damage to crops.
Any of the various plant diseases caused by these fungi.

Verb

To become corroded or oxidized.

rust

OTHER WORDS FOR rust

Origin of rust

OTHER WORDS FROM rust

Words related to rust

British Dictionary definitions for rust

Derived forms of rust

Word Origin for rust

Scientific definitions for rust