ball mill

noun

: a pulverizing machine consisting of a rotating drum which contains pebbles or metal balls as the grinding implements

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Noisy tumblers known as ball mills operate almost continually in mining communities, often next to homes, grinding the ore along with mercury and water to extract the gold. National Geographic, 24 May 2016 For 15 years, Resti's family has operated a ball mill just outside the kitchen door. National Geographic, 24 May 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ball mill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ball mill was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near ball mill

Cite this Entry

“Ball mill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ball%20mill. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

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