: commercial iron that contains carbon in any amount up to about 1.7 percent as an essential alloying constituent, is malleable when under suitable conditions, and is distinguished from cast iron by its malleability and lower carbon content
2
: an instrument or implement of or characteristically of steel: such as
a
: a thrusting or cutting weapon
b
: an instrument (such as a fluted round rod with a handle) for sharpening knives
c
: a piece of steel for striking sparks from flint
3
: a quality (such as hardness of mind or spirit) that suggests steel
Noun The beams are made of steel. Steel is an important industry in this area. The invaders were driven back by steel. the steel of a knife Verb hoped that his inspirational talk would steel the youths in the pursuit of their dreams years of running a farm had steeled the hard-bitten woman See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Finished this year, the single-story residence is a contemporary concoction of limestone, marble, oak, steel and glass. Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Here’s an alternative to the typical hard gate materials like steel and wood. Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 7 Sep. 2022 The home’s construction took the better half of a decade to complete, featuring 60 tons of steel and artisanal craftsmanship. Hunter Boyce, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022 Both structures have huge, rolling barn doors made of steel and polygal that open completely onto the deck, where in the summer a canopy of camo netting offers shade.Sunset Magazine, 31 Aug. 2022 The frame was built with 60 tons of steel and construction stretched more than six years, relying on artisans from all over the world and costing more than $10 million, according to Sotheby's. Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 24 Aug. 2022 The combination of steel and carbon fiber makes this the lightest and arguably strongest, most durable wallet on this list. Mike Richard, Men's Health, 19 Aug. 2022 The frame was built with 60 tons of steel and construction stretched more than six years, relying on artisans from all over the world and costing more than $10 million, according to Sotheby's. Brendel Hightower, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 Some researchers say plastic pipes in the U.S. have not yet undergone the same degree of water quality and health scrutiny as pipes made of copper, iron, steel and cement. Robin Lloyd, Scientific American, 16 Aug. 2022
Verb
In this case Erbil may have to steel itself for a repeat of last year’s overnight withdrawal from Kabul. Bernard-henri Lévy, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 That lesson helped steel her resolve to rebuff pressure to go along just to get along. Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 13 July 2022 People steel themselves in those kinds of scenarios.New York Times, 5 July 2022 No 16-year-old should have to steel herself and her own grief to make that happen.Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2022 At times, Vincent also thrived while playing alongside Lowry, with plans to further steel their relationship this summer. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2022 Vaccinating kids now, de St. Maurice told me, will steel them against what is inevitably on the horizon. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 June 2022 In the Permian Basin, the sprawling oil-rich region in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, drillers are facing long delays and steep competition for everything from roughnecks to steel to fracking pumps. Collin Eaton, WSJ, 28 Apr. 2022 And get emotional support to steel you against the naysayers. Adriana Gallardo, ProPublica, 10 May 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English stele, from Old English stȳle, stēle; akin to Old High German stahal steel and perhaps to Sanskrit stakati he resists
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1