pewter

noun

pew·​ter ˈpyü-tər 

1

: any of various alloys having tin as chief component

especially : a dull alloy with lead formerly used for domestic utensils

2

: utensils of pewter

3

: a bluish gray

pewter adjective

Examples of pewter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then there are the buttons, forty or so, pewter on a regular soldier and silver for an officer. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026

The piece takes inspiration from Chinese fretwork patterns, Art Noveau designs and German sculptor Hugo Leven’s iconic pewter bat candelabras. —Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

The collection—which includes titular chawans along with sake cups and bottles, tea sets, platters, and more—takes a variety of forms and hues, from modest in earthen shades of brown, yellow, and green to more robust in elegant blue and pewter. —Asad Syrkett, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026

It’s made from another base metal, like copper, nickel, or pewter, and has a thin outer coating of silver. —Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French peutre, from Vulgar Latin *piltrum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pewter

• neuter
• router
• scooter
• shooter
• suitor
• tutor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer

Kids Definition

pewter

noun

pew·​ter ˈpyüt-ər 

1

: any of various metallic substances made mostly of tin

especially : a dull metallic substance containing lead formerly used for utensils

2

: utensils made of pewter

pewter adjective