To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of anvil
1 : a heavy usually steel-faced iron block on which metal is shaped (as by hand hammering)
2 : incus
3 : the anvil–shaped top of a cumulonimbus
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

- Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.
Take the quiz
Name That Thing: Animal Edition How many animals can you identify?
Take the quiz
Spell It Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz
Citation Do you know the person or title these quotes describe?
Play the game

















Share anvil
Time Traveler for anvil
The first known use of anvil was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century