# solder

/ˈsɑdɝ/ (US) · /sˈɒldɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/solder
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. metal alloy

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a soft metal that melts easily, used to join wires or metal parts together.

For teachers: a fusible metal alloy, traditionally composed of tin and lead, used to create a permanent bond between metal workpieces.

- He used a small amount of solder to fix the broken wire on the circuit board.
- The technician applied the solder precisely to the joint, ensuring a reliable electrical connection without damaging the surrounding components.

### 2. to join with metal

verb · CEFR B2 · Technical

to join two pieces of metal by melting a soft metal onto them.

For teachers: to join or mend metal objects by applying a molten alloy with a lower melting point than the workpieces.

- You need to solder these two wires together to complete the circuit.
- After cleaning the copper pipes, the plumber began to solder the joints to prevent any future leaks in the system.

Usage: The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, often the parts being joined.

### 3. to bond strongly

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to join two things or people together very strongly, like they are one piece.

For teachers: to unite or bond things or people closely and firmly as if by the use of solder.

- The shared experience of the war helped solder the two nations together.
- Years of collaborative research had served to solder their professional relationship into a formidable partnership that dominated the field.

## Examples

- He used a hot iron to melt the solder onto the wire.
- The technician noticed a crack in the solder on the circuit board, which was causing the device to lose power.
- Modern electronics manufacturing has largely transitioned to lead-free solder to comply with environmental regulations, despite the higher melting temperatures required for a reliable joint.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.