any of various modified forms of iron, artificially produced, having a carbon content less than that of pig iron and more than that of wrought iron, and having qualities of hardness, elasticity, and strength varying according to composition and heat treatment: generally categorized as having a high, medium, or low-carbon content.
a thing or things made of this metal.
a flat strip of this metal used for stiffening, especially in corsets; stay.
a bar of this metal that has one end formed to hold a bit for driving through rock.
steels, stocks or bonds of companies producing this metal.
a sword.
a rounded rod of ridged steel, fitted with a handle and used especially for sharpening knives.
pertaining to or made of steel.
like steel in color, hardness, or strength.
to fit with steel, as by pointing, edging, or overlaying.
to cause to resemble steel in some way.
to render insensible, inflexible, unyielding, determined, etc..
He steeled himself to perform the dangerous task.
any of various alloys based on iron containing carbon (usually 0.1–1.7 per cent) and often small quantities of other elements such as phosphorus, sulphur, manganese, chromium, and nickel. Steels exhibit a variety of properties, such as strength, machinability, malleability, etc, depending on their composition and the way they have been treated
( as modifier ) See also stainless steel
steel girders
something that is made of steel
a steel stiffener in a corset, etc
a ridged steel rod with a handle used for sharpening knives
the quality of hardness, esp with regard to a person's character or attitudes
stock exchange the quotation for steel shares See also steels
(modifier) resembling steel
steel determination
to fit, plate, edge, or point with steel
to make hard and unfeeling
he steeled his heart against her sorrow
he steeled himself for the blow
Danielle, full name Danielle Fernande Schüelein-Steel. born 1950, US writer of romantic fiction
Baron David ( Martin Scott ). born 1938, British politician; leader of the Liberal Party (1976–88); Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament (1999–2003)
before 900; (noun) Middle English stele, Old English (north) stēle; cognate with Dutch staal, German Stahl, Old Norse stāl; (v.) Middle English stelen, Old English styled edged with steel, derivative of the noun
Steel is a kind of metal alloy that's made of iron and carbon. It's known for being incredibly strong and is often used to build the framework of skyscrapers. It's also helpful to have "nerves of steel." Steel isn't just a kind of metal. A steel can also be the long, rough thing you sharpen knives on. Or if you're one of the Three Musketeers, you probably carry a steel, or a sword. People who are really brave have nerves of steel. And if you want to use steel as a verb, go right ahead: if there's something hard or unpleasant ahead, you'll need to steel yourself to get ready for it.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Wells Fargo upgraded Cleveland-Cliffs, saying near-term earnings could beat expectations even as a planned Iowa steel mill raises concerns about future supply.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
Behind the bar, yeast busily converted sugars into alcohol inside giant stainless steel fermentation tanks.
From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026
"We would expect to have some reductions in steel and cars and aluminum," the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
Like thousands of other residents of Zaporizhzhia, Denys Maksyshko has spent years working for local steel factory Zaporizhstal.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
To Powers, the green steel span was a thing of beauty.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Steel casement windows and oversize doors used throughout the house are salvaged.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
Leeds Rhinos half-back Connor, the 2025 Super League Man of Steel, had been expected to make the final cut after being talked up by England head coach Brian McDermott and enjoying a strong domestic season.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
That discount put Steel City in the top spot among metropolitan areas with the biggest markdowns as of Sept. 30, according to Realtor.com’s analysis:
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
Toyota Motor is down 2.6%, Nippon Steel is 3.3% lower and Nomura Holdings is down 2.8%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Steel ..whispered through wool and silk with a faint, soft sound.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
The European market for standard steels remained cautious and import volumes increased ahead of new trade measures, it said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Washington steels his gaze and we cut to black.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026
His government imposed duties in May targeting China's electric cars, solar panels and steels.
From BBC ● Nov. 16, 2024
The researchers anticipate their method can be applied to other 3D-printed metals, such as stainless steels, titanium and high-entropy alloys, or any material system with a crystal structure.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2023
Scoob steels himself and heads in what he hopes to the high heavens, as Dad likes to say when he’s being more over the top than usual, is the right direction.
From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone
Whether because of his renewed focus, or because of a desire among players to make amends, it steeled the group to make history.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
I understood that it was not culturally acceptable in Russia to confront an older person of authority, so I steeled myself.
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026
As Gulf allies brace for more retaliation, energy markets steeled themselves for another economic hit, and traffic through the strait is once again stalling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
Tanker driver Baba steeled himself for yet another perilous journey from Ivory Coast to Mali loaded up with desperately needed fuel -- and fear.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2025
But he steeled his nerves and said, “Yes. Um ... three cheers for Tyson!”
From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
When lenders quietly rewrite the rules of engagement, or demand all-for-one consent before lien subordination, it signals a system steeling itself for impact.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2025
Parents spend months steeling themselves to face an empty nest.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2025
And with the advanced warning, their fans globally had been steeling themselves for this moment.
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2023
Six months after Evan Gershkovich was arrested by Russian security services, accused of espionage and sent to a notoriously harsh Moscow prison, his family is steeling for an indeterminable wait.
From New York Times ● Sep. 29, 2023
They approached the door, steeling themselves for admonishment.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
