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.
However, homes closest to where a lead smelter and other downtown factories operated tended to have slightly higher concentrations than those farther out. — Chris Bowling, ProPublica, 10 Aug. 2026 In return for the 50% cheaper power, Glencore will bring idle smelters back online and preserve jobs. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 8 July 2026 The harder story — and the one that will impact investors and manufacturers long after the oil price spike subsides — is unfolding in petrochemical plants, aluminum smelters, and chip fabrication facilities from Stuttgart to Shenzhen. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 At a meeting Monday, Inola’s mayor and board of trustees officially hit pause on zoning approvals for the smelter. — Graycen Wheeler, KOSU, 1 July 2026 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

See All Rhymes for smelter

Browse Nearby Words

smelt
smelter
smelterman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smelter. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of oxymoron

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All