solder

[ sod-er ]

noun

1. any of various alloys fused and applied to the joint between metal objects to unite them without heating the objects to the melting point.
2. anything that joins or unites:

   the solder of their common cause.

verb (used with object)

1. to join (metal objects) with solder.
2. to join closely and intimately:

   two fates inseparably soldered by misfortune.

3. to mend; repair; patch up.

verb (used without object)

1. to unite things with solder.
2. to become soldered or united; grow together.

solder

/ ˈsɒdər; ˈsɒldə /

noun

1. an alloy for joining two metal surfaces by melting the alloy so that it forms a thin layer between the surfaces. Soft solders are alloys of lead and tin; brazing solders are alloys of copper and zinc
2. something that joins things together firmly; a bond

verb

1. to join or mend or be joined or mended with or as if with solder

Derived Forms

• ˈsolderable, adjective
• ˈsolderer, noun

Other Words From

• solder·a·ble adjective
• solder·er noun
• solder·less adjective
• de·solder verb (used with object)
• re·solder verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of solder¹

1325–75; (noun) Middle English soudour < Old French soudure, soldure, derivative of solder to solder < Latin solidāre to make solid, equivalent to solid ( us ) solid + -āre infinitive suffix; (v.) late Middle English, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of solder¹

C14: via Old French from Latin solidāre to strengthen, from solidus solid

Example Sentences

For as long as I can remember, the events of that day have been present with me, soldered deeply into my psyche, though I wasn’t there to witness them firsthand.

From Salon

Lead contamination potentially could result from decades-old plumbing inside buildings, Leung said, adding that older faucets, fittings and interior pipes sometimes have lead soldering and components.

From Los Angeles Times

One time a young Matt picked up their father’s hot soldering iron, thinking it was a microphone.

From New York Times

A mechanical engineering student from a middle-class family, he said he left Ecuador after gangs made extortion demands on his father, who runs a soldering shop.

From Los Angeles Times

On some models, the battery is not so easy to remove because it’s soldered to the circuit board.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• fasten