pewter

noun pew·ter \ ˈpyü-tər \

Definition of pewter

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

See pewter defined for English-language learners

See pewter defined for kids

Recent Examples of pewter from the Web

There was chrome trim up front with fake wood on the dash and smoked pewter-look trim on the center stack and center air vents.

— mark savage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Savage on Wheels: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T ULT AWD," 15 Aug. 2017
Francis himself presented the officer with flowers and a pewter tankard, according to the CDA records.

— carl prine, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Has Navy been going soft on most suspects in historic 'Fat Leonard' corruption scandal?," 22 July 2017
To his 300 customers, Mr. Gomberg was adding Mr. Miller’s 80 customers and his crates of roughly 2,000 handblown bottles of thick, colorful glass with pewter siphon tops.

— corey kilgannon, New York Times, "Out of Fizz, Brooklyn’s Senior Seltzer Man Passes the Torch," 9 July 2017
Walls are cool pewter gray and linens are crisp; on the landing overlooking the courtyard, hanging chairs swing in the late-day breeze. Aperitifs of cold sparkling wine mixed with a splash of Suze, an herby liqueur, are served in bistro glasses.

— katherine wheelock, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why Languedoc Is Like Nowhere Else in France," 9 June 2017
Moore, tall and physically fit at age 70 with a respectable head of pewter hair, sat at a table with assembly leaders and split a plate of fried chicken livers with his wife, Kayla.

— amy yurkanin, AL.com, "Roy Moore campaigns for senate on a shoestring and a prayer," 8 June 2017
There was salsa verde in a pewter gravy boat, horseradish sauce and apple chutney.

— liza weisstuch, The Seattle Times, "Feasting in Verona, Italy’s city of Romeo and ravioli," 17 May 2017
Magenta, vermillion, marigold, pewter, juniper, cinnamon.

— ocean vuong, The New Yorker, "A Letter to My Mother That She Will Never Read," 13 May 2017
The tropical colors of Arquitectonica's early work have given way to a more restrained palette with shades of neutral gray ranging from dull pewter to mercury to slate and silver.

— alastair gordon, miamiherald, "It’s hard to love a mall. Brickell City Centre may be the exception.," 12 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of pewter

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

PEWTER Defined for English Language Learners

pewter

noun

Definition of pewter for English Language Learners

: a dull gray metal that is a mixture of tin and usually lead

PEWTER Defined for Kids

pewter

noun pew·ter \ ˈpyü-tər \

Definition of pewter for Students

1 :a metallic substance made mostly of tin sometimes mixed with copper or antimony that is used in making utensils (as pitchers and bowls)

2 :utensils made of pewter

Learn More about pewter

See words that rhyme with pewter Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pewter Spanish Central: Translation of pewter Nglish: Translation of pewter for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pewter

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pewter? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

pewter

Definition of pewter

pewter

Recent Examples of pewter from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pewter

PEWTER Defined for English Language Learners

pewter

Definition of pewter for English Language Learners

PEWTER Defined for Kids

pewter

Definition of pewter for Students

Learn More about pewter

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

euphony

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Spox' May Go On The Record

C'mon, Of Course 'Myriad' Is a Noun

'Gamut' and 'Gambit' (and 'Gauntlet' Too)

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Forms of Government Quiz

Original Meanings Quiz

Spell It

Dictionary Devil

'Spox' May Go On The Record

Trending: New Joe Ide Novel Causes 'Righteous' Spike

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066

pewter

Definition of pewter

pewter

People Are Reading

Recent Examples of pewter from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pewter

PEWTER Defined for English Language Learners

pewter

Definition of pewter for English Language Learners

PEWTER Defined for Kids

pewter

Definition of pewter for Students

Learn More about pewter

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Spox' May Go On The Record

Trending: New Joe Ide Novel Causes 'Righteous' Spike

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066