steel wool

noun

: an abrasive material composed of long fine steel shavings and used especially for scouring and burnishing

Examples of steel wool in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Baking Soda And Dish Soap When trying to remove or lighten stains that are already set on your Pyrex dish, a combination of a gentle abrasive cleanser and a little elbow grease with a plastic or nylon scrubby (never steel wool) can work wonders. Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024 Seal them with caulk, polyurethane spray foam, steel wool, or copper mesh. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 17 Oct. 2024 Chrome fixtures and finishes can quickly become discolored or scratched, so avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaners, solvents, or steel wool. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2024 A little scrubbing sponge to get food bits up is okay, but steel wool is an absolute no. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for steel wool 

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steel wool was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near steel wool

Cite this Entry

“Steel wool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steel%20wool. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

steel wool

noun
: a rough material composed of long fine steel shavings and used especially for cleaning and polishing

More from Merriam-Webster on steel wool

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!