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 Word Forms

• 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

Then comes another one as the assembly line continues, the sounds of sewing, stitching, cutting and soldering echoing off the high ceilings.

From BBC

More often than not, organizations, educational systems, companies and other systems just want good solders who do what they're told and say nothing.

From Salon

Over the past century, lead was used in paint, pipes, solder, and, most disastrously, automotive fuel.

From Science Daily

Khalife didn’t give his name, but did reveal he was a serving solder.

From BBC

The resulting flexible board withstood all sorts of electronics manufacturing processes, including cutting shapes into the boards with lasers, printing circuits on top of them with commercially used silver inks, and soldering components to them.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• fasten