steel wool

noun

: an abrasive material composed of long fine steel shavings and used especially for scouring and burnishing

Examples of steel wool in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Don't scrub with steel wool, and do clean with the grain of the stainless steel. Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 27 Jan. 2026 Seal entry points larger than a quarter inch with wire screen or steel wool, and use high-quality door sweeps to prevent mice from entering your home. Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 25 Jan. 2026 Fill large gaps around plumbing and wiring with steel wool, and add caulk or weather stripping to cracks around windows and doors. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026 If a tool is very rusty, let WD-40 sit on it for a few minutes before scrubbing the rust away with steel wool. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steel wool

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steel wool was in 1896

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Cite this Entry

“Steel wool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steel%20wool. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

steel wool

noun
: a rough material composed of long fine steel shavings and used especially for cleaning and polishing

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