ingot

noun

in·​got ˈiŋ-gət 

1

: a mass of metal cast into a convenient shape for storage or transportation to be later processed

2

: a mold in which metal is cast

Did you know?

An ingot is a mass of metal that has been cast into a size and shape (such as a bar, plate, or sheet) that is convenient to store, transport, and work into a semi-finished or finished product. The term also refers to a mold in which metal is so cast. Steel ingots range in size from small rectangular blocks weighing a few pounds (or kilograms) to huge, tapered, octagonal masses weighing more than 500 tons (450 metric tons).

Examples of ingot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gold bullion or gold jewelry Physical gold includes anything from gold bullion — investment-quality gold with a purity of 99.5% (995) in the shape of bars, ingots, coins or rounds — to jewelry and other collectibles. —Nathan Mahr, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025

But what makes this discovery at the Domus Aurea all the more remarkable is the whopping size of the Egyptian blue ingot in question, which weighs more than five pounds and measures six inches long. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025

In 2001, an 80-pound ingot was bought by a private collector for a record $8 million. —CBS News, 4 Feb. 2025

Engraved ingots made of real or imitation gold are staples in many Chinese homes for Lunar New Year – which was only days away. —Holly Yan, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, perhaps modification of Middle French lingot ingot of metal, incorrectly divided as l'ingot, as if from le the

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing ingot

• ingot iron

Kids Definition

ingot

noun

in·​got ˈiŋ-gət 

: a mass of metal cast into a shape that is easy to handle or store