1
: the degree of mixture with base metals : fineness
2
: a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten
also
: the state of union of the components
3
a
: an admixture that lessens value
b
: an impairing alien element
4
: a compound, mixture, or union of different things
an ethnic alloy of many peoples
5
archaic
: a metal mixed with a more valuable metal to give durability or some other desired quality
alloyed; alloying; alloys
2
: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal
3
: to mix so as to form an alloy
: to lend itself to being alloyed
iron alloys well
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
testing the properties of various alloys
a part made of aluminum alloy
Recent Examples on the Web
Devan Coggan, EW.com, 17 Nov. 2022
The performance of this material comes down to the amount of carbon and the alloy content.
—Sarah Wharton, Good Housekeeping, 7 Nov. 2022
An alloy steel handle provides a comfortable non-slip grip.
—Nor'adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2023
With a side-eject receiver and lever machined from alloy steel, the gun’s six-round tubular magazine loads from a side gate.
—Michael Dickerson, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2023
Instead of milling and bending with exacting labor to shape thousands of components, the primary tool is a robotic arm, adding liquified or powered metal alloys, layer by layer, to whatever part of the vehicle is being fabricated.
—Ned Potter, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Mar. 2023
All Dream Edition models include a glass canopy roof, Aero Dream forged alloy wheels and a Nappa leather interior, with pricing starting at $229,000.
—Louisa Ballhaus, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2023
The team was headed toward a Cleveland suburb to investigate an explosion and subsequent fire at the I. Schumann & Co. alloy factory that killed 46-year-old maintenance worker Steven Mullins and injured more than a dozen others Feb. 20, USA TODAY reported.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2023
This Trusco toolbox features a heavy-duty alloy steel construction, and a convenient 14.8 x 4.8-inch footprint that’s convenient to store practically anywhere.
—Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 5 Jan. 2023
Mary Hui, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2023
Tungsten alloy spikes that protrude ever-so-slightly from the lugs of these shoes turn slick, icy conditions into regular trail.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 26 Jan. 2023
This alloy steel organizer has a rust-resistant PE coating to prevent scratches and is available in bronze, charcoal gray, and white finishes.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 5 Jan. 2023
Benin Bronzes - actually copper alloy relief sculptures, many showing court figures - in German public museums.
—CNN, 21 Dec. 2022
The versatile handheld gadget is made of aluminum and alloy and doesn’t require you to peel the garlic cloves, unlike some other styles.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2022
Most benches with a steel (or alloy steel) construction above 50 pounds are more than adequate for average at-home lifting.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 17 Nov. 2022
Your can fly the metal alloy bird from a distance of up to 65 feet away, with up to six minutes of flight time per rechargeable battery.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 7 Nov. 2022
The multi-layer construction also adds a polycarbonate shear plate, an impact-resistant rubber surround, and alloy metal hardware.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 12 Oct. 2022
See More
Noun
Every franchise has its own version: some sort of mysterious ore or alloy, complete with its own lore and an overly complicated backstory.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 17 Nov. 2022
The performance of this material comes down to the amount of carbon and the alloy content.
—Sarah Wharton, Good Housekeeping, 7 Nov. 2022
An alloy steel handle provides a comfortable non-slip grip.
—Nor'adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2023
With a side-eject receiver and lever machined from alloy steel, the gun’s six-round tubular magazine loads from a side gate.
—Michael Dickerson, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2023
Instead of milling and bending with exacting labor to shape thousands of components, the primary tool is a robotic arm, adding liquified or powered metal alloys, layer by layer, to whatever part of the vehicle is being fabricated.
—Ned Potter, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Mar. 2023
All Dream Edition models include a glass canopy roof, Aero Dream forged alloy wheels and a Nappa leather interior, with pricing starting at $229,000.
—Louisa Ballhaus, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2023
The team was headed toward a Cleveland suburb to investigate an explosion and subsequent fire at the I. Schumann & Co. alloy factory that killed 46-year-old maintenance worker Steven Mullins and injured more than a dozen others Feb. 20, USA TODAY reported.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2023
This Trusco toolbox features a heavy-duty alloy steel construction, and a convenient 14.8 x 4.8-inch footprint that’s convenient to store practically anywhere.
—Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 5 Jan. 2023
Verb
Chemical procesess separate out individual rare earth elements, and further refining and alloying processes produce high-purity metals for use in manufacturing.
—Mary Hui, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2023
Tungsten alloy spikes that protrude ever-so-slightly from the lugs of these shoes turn slick, icy conditions into regular trail.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 26 Jan. 2023
This alloy steel organizer has a rust-resistant PE coating to prevent scratches and is available in bronze, charcoal gray, and white finishes.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 5 Jan. 2023
Benin Bronzes - actually copper alloy relief sculptures, many showing court figures - in German public museums.
—CNN, 21 Dec. 2022
The versatile handheld gadget is made of aluminum and alloy and doesn’t require you to peel the garlic cloves, unlike some other styles.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2022
Most benches with a steel (or alloy steel) construction above 50 pounds are more than adequate for average at-home lifting.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 17 Nov. 2022
Your can fly the metal alloy bird from a distance of up to 65 feet away, with up to six minutes of flight time per rechargeable battery.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 7 Nov. 2022
The multi-layer construction also adds a polycarbonate shear plate, an impact-resistant rubber surround, and alloy metal hardware.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 12 Oct. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alloy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near alloy
Cite this Entry
“Alloy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alloy. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
alloy
1 of 2 noun
al·loy
ˈal-ˌȯi 
ə-ˈlȯi
: a substance consisting of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal united usually by being melted together
alloy
2 of 2 verb
al·loy
ə-ˈlȯi
ˈal-ˌȯi
1
: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal
2
: to mix so as to form an alloy
3
: to make worse by mixing with something else
Medical Definition
1
: the degree of mixture with base metals
2
: a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten
also
: the state of union of the components
More from Merriam-Webster on alloy
Nglish: Translation of alloy for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of alloy for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alloy
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying
Trust us
-
Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins
You've used more than you might think
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 2
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
-
When Were Words First Used?
Look up any year to find out
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share