tool steel

noun

1

: hard usually electric steel capable of being tempered so as to be especially suitable as a material for tools

2

: a high-carbon or alloy steel used to make a cutting tool for machining metals

3

: steel used to make tools and dies for various purposes (as press tools, die-casting dies, forging dies, or extrusion tools)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!