pig iron

noun

: crude iron that is the direct product of the blast furnace and is refined to produce steel, wrought iron, or ingot iron

Examples of pig iron 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.
Uncle Carl, a Marine, had a grip that would crush brick and a stare that would melt pig iron, and never mind this foolishness about an irritated vagus nerve or an overactivated phrenic nerve causing hiccups. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 25 May 2024 That's back when famed plant explorers made of pig iron and buckshot were scouring the globe for new plants to diversify our gardens. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 5 Apr. 2024 Companies are investing in smelters producing nickel pig iron, used in stainless steel, according to a report from Oxford Economics. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 15 Dec. 2023 The ship sank in October 1870 while carrying pig iron and shingles from Green Bay en route to Chicago. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 20 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for pig iron 

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pig iron was in 1665

Dictionary Entries Near pig iron

Cite this Entry

“Pig iron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pig%20iron. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pig iron

noun
: crude iron that is the direct product of the blast furnace and when refined yields steel, wrought iron, or high-purity iron

More from Merriam-Webster on pig iron

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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