pig iron

noun

1. iron tapped from a blast furnace and cast into pigs in preparation for conversion into steel, cast iron, or wrought iron.
2. iron in the chemical state in which it exists when tapped from the blast furnace, without alloying or refinement.

pig iron

noun

1. crude iron produced in a blast furnace and poured into moulds in preparation for making wrought iron, steels, alloys, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of pig iron¹

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

Other sectors included pig iron production at 12%, with cement, road freight transport, and private power generation each covering 7% of total emissions.

From Science Daily

The vessels were carrying pig iron and iron concentrate.

From Reuters

Its main products are aluminum, copper cathodes, pig iron, iron ore and other metals.

From Seattle Times

Prior to Russia’s invasion, nearly half of U.S. imports from Ukraine were metals such as iron, pig iron and steel, but they represented a tiny fraction of total U.S. imports of metals.

From Reuters

The Asian country mainly produces nickel pig iron - a lower-nickel-content substitute for refined nickel.

From Reuters