smelter

noun

smelt·​er ˈsmel-tər How to pronounce smelter (audio)
: one that smelts:
a
: a worker who smelts ore
b
: an owner or operator of a smeltery
c
or smeltery
ˈsmel-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce smelter (audio)
: an establishment for smelting

Examples of smelter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Factories, industrial smelters, and dumps were likewise relegated to places where Black and brown people in the Americas, or the Roma in Europe, or Dalits in India, were legally or economically compelled to live. — Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025 Even if new mines can be opened, the U.S. only has two operating copper smelters to handle the raw ore — one in Arizona and another in Utah. — Scott Neuman, NPR, 16 Mar. 2025 From lead-acid battery smelters to rocket testing facilities, heavy industry over the past century in California has left large swathes of land imbued with dangerous chemicals. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025 The Grasberg mine in Indonesia produced 376 million pounds of copper, falling short of expectations due to operational issues, including ongoing smelter problems. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for smelter

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smelter was in the 15th century

Rhymes for smelter

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Browse Nearby Words

smelt
smelter
smelterman
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Cite this Entry

“Smelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smelter. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

smelter

noun
smelt·​er ˈsmel-tər How to pronounce smelter (audio)
1
: a person whose work or business is smelting
2
or smeltery
-tə-rē
 : an establishment for smelting
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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