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

McCloud uses nontraditional materials — roofing tar, plastic bags, metal sheets, solder — drawing inspiration from everyday items as well as his travels to places like India, South Africa, Morocco, Thailand and Tulum, Mexico, where in 2020 he constructed his dream concrete home and studio.

From New York Times

Military medics give first aid to a wounded Ukrainian solder in Bakhmut; farmers protest around Europe and gather outside the European Parliament in Brussels; France wins the handball European Championship in Germany.

From Seattle Times

So from a young age, I learned how to solder motherboards and inventory microchips and would write marketing materials for COMDEX, which was the big computer trade show back then.

From Los Angeles Times

Over two-and-a-half hours, Glenn and Milton taught dozens of volunteers basic engineering skills to disassemble, rewire and solder palm-size external buttons and attach them to a variety of toys.

From Seattle Times

But during his time as a serving solder, he was linked to the banned neo-Nazi group, National Action.

From BBC

Related Words

• fasten