ingot

noun

in·​got ˈiŋ-gət How to pronounce ingot (audio)
1
: a mass of metal cast into a convenient shape for storage or transportation to be later processed
2
: a mold in which metal is cast

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An ingot is a mass of metal that has been cast into a size and shape (such as a bar, plate, or sheet) that is convenient to store, transport, and work into a semi-finished or finished product. The term also refers to a mold in which metal is so cast. Steel ingots range in size from small rectangular blocks weighing a few pounds (or kilograms) to huge, tapered, octagonal masses weighing more than 500 tons (450 metric tons).

Examples of ingot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For instance, dumplings are given the shape of gold ingots to invoke good fortune. Mario Poceski, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2024 Another photo shows an ancient Roman ingot found near the spring. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 People will see the deity off, wishing for a prosperous year and eating wonton resembling the shape of an ingot. Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2024 That coinage would be melted down into ingots, then crafted into wearable art including cuffs, bracelets and necklaces. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2024 Currently, no silicon ingots or wafers are made in the U.S. Jeff Amy, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2023 Induction Heaters The industrial processes that heat aluminum ingots, forge nonferrous metals, and smelt high-end alloys are extremely energy intensive. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Sep. 2023 With conventional induction heating, these currents are slow to penetrate the ingot. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Sep. 2023 At recycling plants, lead is removed from batteries, ground up, melted and turned into ingots that are used to make new batteries. Steve Fisher Alejandro Cegarra, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ingot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, perhaps modification of Middle French lingot ingot of metal, incorrectly divided as l'ingot, as if from le the

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ingot was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ingot

Cite this Entry

“Ingot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ingot. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ingot

noun
in·​got ˈiŋ-gət How to pronounce ingot (audio)
: a mass of metal cast into a shape that is easy to handle or store

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