steel

STEEL/stiːl/

28 meanings of steel

1
the metal itselfnouncountable or uncountable
A hard, strong metal made from iron, used for tools, buildings, and machines.
Like iron, but much stronger and harder to bend.
Steel is used to build bridges and tall buildings.
The knife was made of strong, polished steel.
UsageUsually no a: made of steel.
Note
2
metal (describing)adjective
Made out of steel.
The workers built a steel gate for the yard.
Her new desk stands on four steel legs.
UsageSay a steel door or made of steel.
Note
3
industryadjective
Having to do with making or selling steel.
Many families in the town depended on steel jobs.
The steel union met to discuss new wages.
UsageOften steel industry or steel mill.
Note
4
adjective
Looking or feeling like steel: cold, gray, hard, or very strong.
Like the cold, hard shine of a metal knife.
The old sergeant fixed the recruits with a steel gaze.
Out at sea the water was a flat steel gray.
UsageFor a hard look, say steely: a steely gaze.
Similariron, unyielding, gray
Note

Less common meanings

5
inner strengthnounfigurativelycountable or uncountable
Great inner strength that keeps someone strong under pressure.
Like having a backbone made of metal that won't bend.
She showed real steel when she stood up to the bully.
It takes steel to keep going after losing so much.
UsageOften nerves of steel.
Similargrit, toughness, resolve, iron, backbone
Oppositeweakness, softness
6
brace yourselfverbfigurativelytransitive
To make yourself or someone strong and hard inside, ready to face or resist something.
She tried to steel herself before the exam.
Losing so many close games had steeled the team against bad luck.
UsageUsually steel yourself for something.
Similarbrace, harden, fortify, prepare
Oppositesoften, weaken
Note
7
the color itselfnoununcountable
A bluish-gray color, like the surface of polished metal.
Like the color of a metal spoon.
They painted the bedroom walls a soft steel.
The paint for the new kitchen comes in white, black, and steel.
Note
8
blade weaponsnouncountable or uncountable
Swords, knives, and other sharp weapons, taken together.
The knights drew their steel as the gates swung open.
Nothing but steel would settle the quarrel between them.
UsageOften cold steel.
Note
9
sharpening rodnouncountable or uncountable
A metal rod used to straighten and sharpen the edges of knives.
Like a comb that straightens a blade's edge.
The butcher swept the knife across his steel a few times.
She bought a long steel to keep her kitchen knives sharp.
Similarsharpener
Note
10
sharpen knifeverbtransitive
To run a knife along a metal rod to make its edge sharp.
Like smoothing the edge of a knife so it cuts cleanly again.
He steeled the carving knife before dinner.
The chefs steel their blades between every order.
Similarsharpen, hone
Oppositeblunt, dull
11
armornouncountable or uncountable
Metal body armor worn for protection in battle.
The arrow bounced off the knight's steel and fell to the ground.
The knight was dressed in steel from head to toe.
Similararmor
Note
12
verbtransitive
To add steel to something, such as the edge of a tool, to make it harder or stronger.
Like putting a metal cap on the end of a stick so it lasts longer.
Blacksmiths steel the edges of axes to keep them sharp.
They steeled the plow tips to stop them wearing down.
Note
13
convert ironverbtransitive
To turn iron into steel by adding carbon and treating it with heat.
Like baking soft dough into firm bread by heating it the right way.
Early furnaces could not steel iron evenly.
Early furnaces steeled iron by heating it slowly with charcoal.
Note
14
clothing supportnouncountable or uncountable
Thin metal strips sewn into clothing to give it shape or support.
Like the bendy strips that keep a shirt collar stiff.
The dress had steel sewn in to hold its shape.
She added steel to the collar so it would stand up straight.
Similarboning
Note
15
engraved plateadjective
Printed from a picture cut into a steel plate.
The album showed a steel engraving of the old bridge.
Each chapter of the old book opens with a steel engraving of a ship.
Note
16
bulletsnouncountable or uncountable
Metal bullets, shot, or other things fired as weapons.
The gunners loaded steel into the heavy cannon.
Steel whistled overhead as the battle raged.
Similarshot
Note
17
fire starternouncountable or uncountable
A small metal tool struck against flint to make sparks for lighting a fire.
Like the little wheel on a lighter that makes a spark when you flick it.
He kept a flint and steel in his pack for starting fires.
She struck the steel against the flint until sparks caught the tinder.
Note
18
give metal lookverbliteraryfigurativelytransitive
To make something look like steel, with a hard gray shine.
Like frost making a window look like a sheet of shiny gray metal.
Moonlight seemed to steel the calm surface of the lake.
The cold dawn steeled the rooftops with a gray sheen.
Note
19
nounobsoleteuncountable
Iron, or water treated with iron, swallowed long ago as a medicine.
I...am really only kept alive by steel.
1866, Princess Alice, Mem.Here, steel means taking iron as a medicine.
Steel is not so good as Iron for Medicinal Operation.
1704, J. Harris, Lexicon Technicum
Note
20
adjectiveobsolete
Containing iron or steel, as an old medicine or mineral water once did.
I...take some nasty steel drops, & may head has been bettr.
1713, Journal to Stella, Jonathan SwiftHere, steel means containing iron, used as a medicine.
To mix some Sugar of steel, or steel wine with the first glass.
1652, J. French, York-shire Spaw
Note
21
verbobsoletetransitive
To add iron to a drink so it can be used as an old-time medicine.
She drunk her drink steeled, with which she was cured.
1657, J. Hall, CuresHere, steeled means treated with iron to make it a medicine.
Note
22
noun
A smooth metal bar that a player slides along guitar strings to change the pitch.
23
noun
A polished metal plate that printers cut a design into to make many copies of a picture.
24
verb
To coat a metal plate with a thin layer of iron using electricity, so it lasts longer.
25
noun
Small shiny metal beads or trim sewn onto clothes for decoration.
26
noundialectal
A sewing or knitting needle, or a sharp metal point for writing.
The threaded steel...Flies swiftly.
1785, William Cowper, Task
27
noundialectal
A heavy metal tool, heated and pressed on cloth to smooth out wrinkles.
One of them having occasion to use a Steele, smoothing Iron, or some such kinde of Laundry Instrument.
1638, J. Taylor, Bull
28
verbdialectal
To press cloth smooth using a heated metal iron.
Tha hasn't tha Sense to stile thy own Dressing.
1746, Exmoor Scolding, 3rd edition

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of steel apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old English stīele, from an old Germanic word for steel that goes back to a root meaning "to be firm or rigid."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Steel descends from Old English stīele. en.wiktionary.org
The Old English word derives from an earlier Germanic word for steel, ultimately associated with firmness or rigidity. en.wiktionary.org