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stainless steel

American  

noun

  1. alloy steel containing 12 percent or more chromium, so as to be resistant to rust and attack from various chemicals.


stainless steel British  

noun

    1. a type of steel resistant to corrosion as a result of the presence of large amounts of chromium (12–15 per cent). The carbon content depends on the application, being 0.2–0.4 per cent for steel used in cutlery, etc, and about 1 per cent for use in scalpels and razor blades

    2. ( as modifier )

      stainless-steel cutlery

"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

stainless steel Scientific  
/ stān′lĭs /
  1. Any of various alloys of iron that contain chromium, nickel, and small amounts of carbon. They may also contain minor amounts of other elements, such as molybdenum. Stainless steel is resistant to rusting and corrosion.


Etymology

Origin of stainless steel

First recorded in 1915–20


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.

See Examples For:

The Cybertruck’s design, said to be inspired by the iconic stainless steel DeLorean DMC-12, proved instantly shocking.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

In the end, the vehicle launched in 2023, keeping its novel design - an angular shape with a body made of stainless steel.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

The project also includes restoration of the facade and polishing of its famous stainless steel crown.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

Behind the bar, yeast busily converted sugars into alcohol inside giant stainless steel fermentation tanks.

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026

She’s beside me now, tilting the stainless steel containers of half-and-half, low fat, and soy.

From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

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