noun

metallurgy

muh-TAL-uh-jee

Metallurgy (noun) means the branch of science and engineering concerned with metals: how they are extracted from ores, refined, alloyed, shaped and how they behave in use. Example: “Advances in metallurgy made lighter, stronger aircraft possible.”

noun

The branch of science and engineering concerned with metals: how they are extracted from ores, refined, alloyed, shaped and how they behave in use.

"Advances in metallurgy made lighter, stronger aircraft possible."

"She studied metallurgy before moving into materials research."

The practical craft of working metals, including smelting, casting and heat treatment.

"The site shows evidence of Bronze Age metallurgy."

How to Use Metallurgy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe science of getting metals out of rock and turning them into useful things.

When to use it

Technical and neutral; standard in engineering, archaeology and industry.

Memory tip

A specialist is a metallurgist and the adjective is metallurgical.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

metalwork mineralogy materials science

Common pairings

extractive metallurgy powder metallurgy physical metallurgy

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Can you complete this real example?

Advances in _____ made lighter, stronger aircraft possible.

Etymology

From Greek metallon 'metal, mine' plus -ourgia 'working', via modern Latin metallurgia.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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metal science materials science smelting metalworking

Related Words

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between metallurgy and materials science?

Metallurgy deals specifically with metals and alloys. Materials science is the broader field, covering ceramics, polymers and composites as well, and metallurgy is usually taught as one branch of it.

What are the main branches of metallurgy?

Extractive metallurgy, which gets metal out of ore, and physical metallurgy, which studies structure, properties and processing. Some courses add mechanical metallurgy, covering how metals deform and fail.

How is metallurgy pronounced?

British English usually stresses the second syllable, muh-TAL-uh-jee. American English often stresses the first, MET-uh-lur-jee. Both are accepted.

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