steel
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: enpr: stēl
ipa: /stiːl/
ipa: [stiːɫ]
homophone: steal
homophone: stele
rhymes: -iːl
Forms: form: steels
form: steele
Etymology: From Middle English stele, stel, from Old English stīele, from Proto-West Germanic *stahlī (“something made of steel”), enlargement of *stahl (“steel”), from Proto-Germanic *stahlą, from *stah- or *stag- (“to be firm, rigid”), from Proto-Indo-European *stak- (“to stay, to be firm”). Compare Scots stele, Yola stehli.
Senses: examples: text: Ocearium stæli.
ref: c. 725, Corpus Gloss., published 1431:
text: Accearium steeli.
ref: c. 825, Epinal Gloss., section 49:
text: Þe alle þine leomen wule to-draȝen. þeh þu weore stel al.
ref: c. 1275, Laȝamon, Brut, 12916
text: Employeng the steell of his swerd the most best wyse that in hym was possible.
ref: c. 1473, Raoul Le Fèvre, translated by William Caxton, The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye, section I:
text: Weman...with wordis cane rycht wele our-cum mene hard as stele.
ref: c. 1480, St. Mary Magdalen, 408 in 1896, W. M. Metcalfe, Legends Saints Sc. Dial., I 267
text: The purest part thereof [of iron ore] which in Latine is called Nucleus ferri, i. the kernell or heart of the yron (and it is that which we call steele)
ref: 1601, Pliny, translated by P. Holland, Hist. World, II xxxiv xiv 514:
text: Shall yron breake the Northren yron, and the steele?
ref: 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Jeremiah 15:12:
text: ...Like a man of Steele.
ref: c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv], line 33:
text: The bars are exposed to two or three successive processes of cementation, and are hence said to be twice or thrice converted into steels.
ref: 1839, A. Ure, Dict. Arts, published 1172:
text: Steel may be roughly defined as an alloy of iron and carbon containing up to 1.7% carbon, all of the carbon being in the combined condition. A second definition, distinguishing it from cast or wrought iron, is that it has been produced in the molten condition, and a third states that steel can be hardened by quenching from a suitably high temperature. There are...certain exceptions to all these definitions.
ref: 1946, Thorpe's Dictionary of Applied Chemistry, 4th edition, VII 47 1:
text: For the iron to be made into steel (defined as iron with a carefully controlled carbon content of 1.7 percent or less) the sulfur, the silicon, and the excess carbon must be removed.
ref: 1976 July 24, Scientific American, 68 2:
text: Steel properties vary based on composition and processing. Different formulations and manufacturing methods produce steels with a spectrum of characteristics, including yield strength.
ref: 2024 March 23, “Yield Strength of Steel: A Comprehensive Guide”, in Unionfab:
text: US Steel was once a symbol of American industrial power. It was the most valuable company in the world and, soon after its 1901 creation, became the first to be worth $1 billion. Its steel helped build America, from the skyscrapers dotting city landscapes to the cars speeding down highways, to the appliances inside millions of homes.
ref: 2025 June 13, Luciana Lopez and Chris Isidore, “US Steel and Nippon Steel say Trump has approved their partnership”, in CNN Business:
glosses: An artificial metal produced from iron, harder and more elastic than elemental iron; used figuratively as a symbol of hardness.
examples: text: For heom ne may halter ne bridel Bringe from here wode wyse, Ne mon mid stele ne mid ire.
ref: c. 1250, The Owl & the Nightengale, published 1030:
text: For braue Macbeth (well hee deſerues that Name)
Diſdayning Fortune, with his brandiſht Steele,
Which ſmoak'd with bloody execution
(Like Valours Minion) caru'd out his paſſage.
ref: c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], line 35:
text: But who wou'd dream that out of abundant Charity and Brotherly Love shou'd come Steel, Fire, Gibbets, Rods.
ref: 1712, Lord Shaftesbury, Characteristicks, III 115:
text: They have asked for the steel. They shall have it now; Out cutlasses and board!
ref: 1892, Rudyard Kipling, Barrack-room Ballads, section 139:
text: While one man was beating off the swords, the waters stole up silently and took him. Contrariwise, another was struggling with the waves, when the steel came up and encompassed him. The flowing waters were befouled with the gory spray. Thus the Ruthenians were conquered...
ref: 1905, Saxo Grammaticus, translated by Oliver Elton, The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus, section II:
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
Bladed or pointed weapons, as swords, javelins, daggers.
examples: text: Of ston mid stel in ðe tunder wel to brennen one ðis wunder.
ref: c. 1220, Bestiary, section 535:
text: The Cock falling with its wonted violence upon the Steel.
ref: 1660, Robert Boyle, New Experiments Physico-mechanicall, XIV 89:
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
A piece used for striking sparks from flint.
examples: text: Þai gun hem boþe armi In iren and stiel þat tide.
ref: c. 1330, Sir Tristrem, L 3324:
text: In compleate steele.
ref: c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv], page 33:
text: She that has [chastity], is clad in compleat steel.
ref: 1634 October 9 (first performance), [John Milton], edited by H[enry] Lawes, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: […] [Comus], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for Hvmphrey Robinson, […], published 1637, →OCLC; reprinted as Comus: […] (Dodd, Mead & Company’s Facsimile Reprints of Rare Books; Literature Series; no. I), New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1903, →OCLC, page 421:
english: Comus
translation: Comus
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
Armor.
examples: text: The steill to scherp the schawing jrne.
ref: 1541 in 1844, J. Stuart, Extracts of the Council Register of Aberdeen, I 176
text: When he came to Nottingham, he entered that part of the market where butchers stood, and took up his inn in the best place he could find. Next, he opened his stall and spread his meat upon the bench, then, taking his cleaver and steel and clattering them together, he trolled aloud in merry tones...
ref: 1883, Howard Pyle, chapter V, in The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood […], New York, N.Y.: […] Charles Scribner’s Sons […], →OCLC:
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
A honing steel, a tool used to sharpen or hone metal blades.
examples: text: I haue a ruffe is a quarter deep, measured by the yeard... You haue a pretty set too, how big is the steele you set with?
ref: 1608, G. Markham et al., Dumbe Knight, section I:
text: I suppose the bullet must have struck the steels in my corsets.
ref: 1904 February 22, Daily Chron, 5 4:
topics: business
manufacturing
sewing
textiles
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
Pieces used to strengthen, support, or expand an item of clothing.
examples: text: One of them having occasion to use a Steele, smoothing Iron, or some such kinde of Laundry Instrument.
ref: 1638, J. Taylor, Bull, Beare, & Horse, C5:
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
A flat iron.
examples: text: The threaded steel...Flies swiftly.
ref: 1785, William Cowper, Task, IV 165:
topics: business
manufacturing
sewing
textiles
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
A sewing needle; a knitting needle; a sharp metal stylus.
examples: ref: 1843, J. Ballantine, The gaberlunzie's wallet. With numerous illustrations on steel and wood.:
text: A re-issue of the Examples of the Architecture of Venice. By John Ruskin... With the Text, and the 16 Plates (10 Steels and 6 Lithographs) as originally published.
ref: 1887 June 11, Athenæum, 779 1:
topics: media
printing
publishing
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
An engraving plate.
examples: text: The crews at the port batteries were pumping steel at the enemy.
ref: 1898 June 1, Westminster Gazette, 5 1:
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
Projectiles.
examples: text: A trailing skirt embroidered in what is termed fine steel.
ref: 1899 January 26, Daily News, 6 3:
topics: business
manufacturing
sewing
textiles
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
A fringe of beads or decoration of this metal.
topics: entertainment
guitar
lifestyle
music
glosses: Any item made of this metal, particularly including:
A type of slide used while playing the steel guitar.
examples: text: A stronger physick is now necessary, perhaps a whole course of steel: A physick, God knowes, that this Kingdome hath been under five or six yeares.
ref: 1649, H. Hammond, Christians Obligations, X 253:
text: Steel is not so good as Iron for Medicinal Operation.
ref: 1704, J. Harris, Lexicon Technicum, volume L:
text: The Doctor tells me I must go into a Course of Steel, tho I have not the Spleen.
ref: 1712 September 18, Journal to Stella, Jonathan Swift, II 558:
text: I...am really only kept alive by steel.
ref: 1866, Princess Alice, Mem., section 158:
topics: medicine
sciences
glosses: Medicinal consumption of this metal; chalybeate medicine; (eventually) any iron or iron-treated water consumed as a medical treatment.
examples: text: Falkenhayn gave...to Jane a steel glacé silk dress.
ref: 1851 Dec 28, E. Ruskin, letter in 1965, M. Lutyens, Effie in Venice, II 236
text: It was a clear steel-blue day. The firmaments of air and sea were hardly separable in that all-pervading azure; only, the pensive air was transparently pure and soft, with a woman’s look, and the robust and man-like sea heaved with long, strong, lingering swells, as Samson’s chest in his sleep.
ref: 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “Chapter 132”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:
qualifier: colors
glosses: The gray hue of this metal; steel-gray, or steel blue.
glosses: Extreme hardness or resilience.
Hyponyms: sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: cast steel
sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: cemented steel
sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: cold steel
sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: concrete steel
sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: Eglin steel
sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: Mushet steel
sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: shear steel
sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: stainless steel
sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: strip steel
sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: tool steel
sense: Hyponyms from steel (noun)
word: wrought steel
Derived terms: sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: alloy steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: austenitic steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: balls of steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: Bessemer steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: Biosteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: blister-steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: blister steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: bright lights and cold steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: bronze steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: carbon steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: cement steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: cold steel and bright lights
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: console steel guitar
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: console steel guitarist
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: crucible steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: Damascus steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: damascus steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: Damask steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: draw one's steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: electrosteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: finger steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: firesteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: flowers of steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: German steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: granulated steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: hard steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: high-speed steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: high speed steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: high steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: India steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: lap steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: lap steel guitar
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: lap steel guitarist
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: low-background steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: low steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: manganese steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: man of steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: marage steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: maraging steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: mild steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: mind like a steel trap
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: native steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: natural steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: nerves of steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: nickel steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: nonsteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: ovaries of steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: oxysteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: pedal steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: pedal steel guitar
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: pedal steel guitarist
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: phosphorus steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: plasteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: presteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: radiosteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: resteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: ring of steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: salt of steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: semisteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: Siemens-Martin steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: silicon steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: silver steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: soft steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: spring steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelback
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelband
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel band
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel bandsman
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel bar
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-barred
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel beach party
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel beach picnic
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel beetle
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel bender
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-black
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel blue
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-blue
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-born
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-bosomed
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-bound
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-bow
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: Steelboy
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-bright
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel bronze
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-browed
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel cage match
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelclad
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-clad
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-colored
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-cut
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel driver
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel drops
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel drum
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel drummer
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: Steele
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelen
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-engraved
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-engraver
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel engraving
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steeler
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-erector
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-face
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-faced
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-facing
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel fall
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel finch
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel fixer
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel frame
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-framed
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel framework
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-girt
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel grain
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-grained
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-grated
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-graven
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-green
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-grey
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel guitar
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel guitarist
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-hard
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-hardened
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel head
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelhead
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-hilted
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel horse
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelie
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelification
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelify
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel iron
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelless
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steellike
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-lined
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel lozenge
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel lustre
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel magnolia
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelmaker
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-maker
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelmaking
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-making
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel man
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelman
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel marl
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel master
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelmaster
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel mill
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel mine
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-nerved
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-nose
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel orchestra
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-ore
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel pannist
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel pan orchestra
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelpan
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel pan
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-piercing
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel pill
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel plant
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-pointed
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel pot
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel pot helmet
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel ring
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-rolling
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steels
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel saddle
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-shafted
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-sharp
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-shod
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel square
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-straight
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-string guitar
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-strong
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-studded
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel tape
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-tempered
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-thin
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-tipped
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-toe boot
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-topped
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel to the very back
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel town
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel toys
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel trade
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel trap
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-using
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelware
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel water
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel wheel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel wine
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel wool
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-wool
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelwork
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelworker
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel-worker
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steel worker
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelworking
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelworks
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steely
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steelyard
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: steely-eyed
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: structural steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: sugar of steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: table steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: table steel guitar
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: table steel guitarist
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: tincture of steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: Toledo steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: transparisteel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: true as steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: turning steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: vanadium steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: weathering steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: weld steel
sense: Terms derived from steel (noun)
word: wheels of steel