bronze

American  

[bronz] / brɒnz /

noun

1. Metallurgy.

   1. any of various alloys consisting essentially of copper and tin, the tin content not exceeding 11 percent.

   2. any of various other alloys having a large copper content.

2. a metallic brownish color.

3. a work of art, as a statue, statuette, bust, or medal, composed of bronze.

4. Numismatics. a coin made of bronze, especially one from the Roman Empire.

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verb (used with object)

bronzed, bronzing

1. to give the appearance or color of bronze to.

2. to make brown, as by exposure to the sun.

   The sun bronzed his face.

3. Printing.

   1. to apply a fine metallic powder to (the ink of a printed surface) in order to create a glossy effect.

   2. to apply a fine metallic powder to (areas of a reproduction proof on acetate) in order to increase opacity.

adjective

1. having the color bronze.

bronze British  

/ brɒnz /

noun

1. 1. any hard water-resistant alloy consisting of copper and smaller proportions of tin and sometimes zinc and lead

   2. any similar copper alloy containing other elements in place of tin, such as aluminium bronze, beryllium bronze, etc See also phosphor bronze gunmetal Compare brass

2. a yellowish-brown colour or pigment

3. a statue, medal, or other object made of bronze

4. short for bronze medal

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adjective

1. made of or resembling bronze

2. of a yellowish-brown colour

   a bronze skin

verb

1. (esp of the skin) to make or become brown; tan

2. (tr) to give the appearance of bronze to

bronze Scientific  

/ brŏnz /

1. A yellow or brown alloy of copper and tin, sometimes with small amounts of other metals such as lead or zinc. Bronze is harder than brass and is used both in industry and in art.

2. An alloy of copper and certain metals other than tin, such as aluminum.

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Other Word Forms

• bronzelike adjective
• bronzy adjective
• prebronze adjective
• quasi-bronze adjective
• unbronzed adjective

Etymology

Origin of bronze

1730–40; < French < Italian, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

However, while wooden or leather shields were more common in those times, rare bronze ones were used not only for defence but also symbolised the status of the warriors they belonged to.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

She went on to win silver in the inaugural women's pentathlon and bronze in the 4x100m relay at the same Games.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Maher's online clout, combined with an Olympic bronze for the USA women's team at Paris 2024 and the 2025 Rugby World Cup, has turbo-charged the women's game stateside.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Kerr remained patient as he gradually moved through the field, with Ethiopia's Addisu Yihune setting the pace at the front with medal contenders Hocker and Olympic bronze medallist Yared Nuguse following closely behind.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

The rocket fire had extinguished, though smoking bronze exhaust vents still jutted from the stern.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan