stainless steel

noun

: an alloy of steel with chromium and sometimes another element (such as nickel or molybdenum) that is practically immune to rusting and ordinary corrosion

Examples of stainless steel 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.
Mixing wand finish is oxidizing for mixing lacks replacement with stainless steel material. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 Follow the grain for stainless steel and buff dry to prevent any streaking. — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026 Storyteller Overland The slim kitchen block comes with a stainless steel sink piped to a 76-L fresh water tank. — New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026 FinalPress is a micro French press made of stainless steel (and zero plastic) that can brew hot, iced, or cold brew coffee anywhere, and comes with a unique bottom-lid ejection system for easy cleaning. — Time Staff, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stainless steel

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stainless steel was in 1917

Rhymes for stainless steel

See All Rhymes for stainless steel

Browse Nearby Words

stainlessness
stainless steel
stair
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stainless steel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stainless%20steel. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

stainless steel

noun
: an alloy of steel and chromium that is highly resistant to stain, rust, and corrosion

More from Merriam-Webster on stainless steel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stainless steel

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All