English Reference

Word

metallurgy

Phoneticsmet·al·lur·gy

US/ˈmɛtəɫɝdʒi/

UK/mɛtˈælɜːdʒi/

Definition

n. the science and technology of working with metals. It involves how to extract metals from the earth and how to make them into useful objects.

n. the science, technology, and practice of extracting metals from their ores and preparing them for use. It encompasses both the physical and chemical properties of metals and their alloys.

Examples

“Ancient metallurgy allowed humans to make stronger tools.”

“Modern metallurgy has led to the development of lightweight yet incredibly strong alloys used in aerospace engineering.”

“The study of ancient metallurgy provides archaeologists with critical insights into the technological capabilities and trade networks of early civilizations.”

Examples

simple

“Ancient metallurgy allowed humans to make stronger tools.”

contextual

“Modern metallurgy has led to the development of lightweight yet incredibly strong alloys used in aerospace engineering.”

complex

“The study of ancient metallurgy provides archaeologists with critical insights into the technological capabilities and trade networks of early civilizations.”

Real-World Examples

“Before the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, metallurgy and mining accounted for roughly 10% of Ukraine's GDP and a third of its exports.”
BBC News · 29 Sept 2026
“Manufacturers currently produce these materials mainly through powder metallurgy.”
ScienceDaily · 4 Aug 2026

Etymology

From French métallurgie, from Ancient Greek μεταλλουργός (metallourgós, “miner”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

metallurgicalAdjectivemetallurgyNoun

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference