steelyard

noun

steel·​yard ˈstēl-ˌyärd How to pronounce steelyard (audio)
ˈstil-yərd
: a balance in which an object to be weighed is suspended from the shorter arm of a lever and the weight determined by moving a counterpoise along a graduated scale on the longer arm until equilibrium is attained

Illustration of steelyard

Illustration of steelyard

Examples of steelyard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The heavily laden vessel voyaged to Barbados, resupplied for nine days at sea, then steamed off for the steelyards of Baltimore. Tim Prudente, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'steelyard.' 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

probably from steel entry 3 + yard entry 4 (rod)

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steelyard was in 1639

Dictionary Entries Near steelyard

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

steelyard

noun
steel·​yard ˈstē(ə)l-ˌyärd How to pronounce steelyard (audio)
: a balance on which something to be weighed is hung from the shorter arm of a lever and is balanced by a weight that slides along the longer arm which is marked with a scale
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