solder

1 of 3

noun (1)

sol·​der ˈsä-dər 

ˈsȯ-

British also ˈsäl-də, 

ˈsōl-

1

: a metal or metallic alloy used when melted to join metallic surfaces

especially : an alloy of lead and tin so used

2

: something that unites

solder

2 of 3

verb

soldered; soldering ˈsä-d(ə-)riŋ 

ˈsȯ-

British also ˈsäl-, 

ˈsōl-

transitive verb

1

: to unite or make whole by solder

2

: to bring into or restore to firm union

a friendship soldered by common interests

intransitive verb

1

: to use solder

2

: to become united or repaired by or as if by solder

solderability

ˌsä-də-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌsȯ-

noun

solderer

ˈsä-dər-ər 

ˈsȯ-

noun

solderer

3 of 3

noun (2)

sol·​der·​er -dərə(r) 

plural -s

: one that solders

especially : a worker who joins or repairs metal parts with solder

Examples of solder in a Sentence

Verb

Wires are soldered onto the circuit board.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Homes built before a 1986 federal ban on lead pipes and solder carry the most risk, as do homes with lead service lines. — Christine Kirchhoff, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

The dies connect to each other and to the base die through microscopic bumps of solder that link to the TSVs. — IEEE Spectrum, 8 July 2026

Verb

Even a small trickle of water inside the pipe can prevent the metal from getting hot enough to properly solder. — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

To optimize that, memory must be soldered extremely close to the CPU to reduce the length of the motherboard's traces (circuit lines). — John Burek, PC Magazine, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English soudure, from Anglo-French, from souder to solder, from Latin solidare to make solid, from solidus solid

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for solder

• broader
• dodder
• fodder
• odder
• marauder

Kids Definition

solder

1 of 2 noun

sol·​der ˈsäd-ər 

ˈsȯd-

: a metal or a mixture of metals (as of lead and tin) used when melted to join metallic surfaces

solder

2 of 2 verb

soldered; soldering -(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to unite or repair with solder

2

: to become joined or renewed by or as if by the use of solder

solderer

-ər-ər 

noun