anvil

noun an·vil \ ˈan-vəl \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

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

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Recent Examples of anvil from the Web

By-pass pruners (the blades cross like scissors) generally give a better cut than the anvil type (one blade forced against a flat surface).

— dan gill, NOLA.com, "How to properly prune a tree," 13 Jan. 2018
Not just any knives, but ones forged from alloy steel and hardened with extreme blasts of fire and liquid nitrogen—knives that require hours of anvil-pounding at his metal shop near Temecula.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "Chef Adam Perry Lang Is Making the Knives for His Hollywood Steak House by Hand," 14 Mar. 2018
The clip is narrated by Ben and introduces their fellow townsfolk and their claims to fame, like a woman named Charlotte who makes the best punch bowl cake, and Jerry, who holds the record for anvil shooting.

— megan stein, PEOPLE.com, "Home Town's Erin Napier Announces Show Crew Member Has Died: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'," 9 Mar. 2018
The only tools needed to break these bones, based on experimental archaeology breakage of elephant limb bones, are cobble anvils and hammers.

— kiona n. smith, Ars Technica, "Debate heats up over whether 130,000-year-old bones were broken by humans," 7 Feb. 2018
Kurtz sets it, glowing orange, against an anvil with his tongs and begins to work the now malleable material with his hammer.

— ben brazil, latimes.com, "Orange County Blacksmith Guild seeks to preserve the old ways," 26 Jan. 2018
Why hang around and wait for that anvil to drop on your head?

— chris cillizza, CNN, "5 reasons why Paul Ryan should definitely quit in 2018," 14 Dec. 2017
Thieves damaged a Shawnee historical marker and stole an anvil after using a sledgehammer to dislodge it.

— tony rizzo, kansascity, "Thieves steal 200-pound anvil, vandalize historical marker in Shawnee," 20 Oct. 2017
The first impression is one of grim-forged solidity, like shaking hands with an anvil.

— dan neil, WSJ, "Mercedes-AMG GT R: A Race Car for Regular People," 6 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anvil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of anvil

Origin and Etymology of anvil

Middle English anfilt, from Old English; akin to Old High German anafalz anvil; akin to Latin pellere to beat — more at felt

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Hardware Terms

adze, auger, awl, chock, ferrule, punch, tang

ANVIL Defined for English Language Learners

anvil

noun

Definition of anvil for English Language Learners

: a heavy iron block on which heated metal is shaped by hitting it with a hammer

ANVIL Defined for Kids

anvil

noun an·vil \ ˈan-vəl \

Definition of anvil for Students

: an iron block on which pieces of metal are hammered into shape

Medical Dictionary

anvil

noun an·vil \ ˈan-vəl \

medical Definition of anvil

: incus

Learn More about anvil

Spanish Central: Translation of anvil Nglish: Translation of anvil for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of anvil for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anvil

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anvil

Definition of anvil

Recent Examples of anvil from the Web

Illustration of anvil

Origin and Etymology of anvil

Other Hardware Terms

ANVIL Defined for English Language Learners

anvil

Definition of anvil for English Language Learners

ANVIL Defined for Kids

anvil

Definition of anvil for Students

Medical Dictionary

anvil

medical Definition of anvil

Learn More about anvil

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