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.

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stainless steel British  

noun

1. 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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of stainless steel

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stainless steel

Durable, ready-for-anywhere gear like stainless steel tumblers and a backpack in lieu of a basket are versatile enough for dining al fresco almost anywhere.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

He considered different shapes for the container -- like a square or even a star -- but thought it best to avoid having seams and joints, so a stainless steel cylinder won the day.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

Thomas wrote to the Cement Federation asking for a mix "that would last a thousand years", while stainless steel was chosen for some elements after discussions with the Steel Federation.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

Titanium parts coated with precious metals such as gold or platinum are expensive, while stainless steel is far more economical.

From Science Daily ● May 10, 2026

In the kitchen, I show them the stainless steel drum that holds our primary water supply.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman