What does ingot mean?
An ingot is a solid block or bar of metal that has been cast or forged so that it can be stored, transported, sold, or worked into another product. The term is especially common for gold and silver bullion, but it is also used in metallurgy and manufacturing for blocks of iron, steel, copper, and other metals. Unlike a finished metal component, an ingot is normally an intermediate form: a standardized, manageable piece of raw material. Its shape may vary by metal and purpose, although many commercial ingots are rectangular or trapezoidal. The word is technical and somewhat formal, while related everyday terms such as bar and billet may be more familiar. In financial reporting, gold ingot prices and bullion markets are familiar applications of the same basic sense.
nounA cast or forged bar of metal, especially one of gold, silver, iron, or steel, made for further processing or transport. An ingot is typically a relatively uniform, manageable block rather than a finished product.
- A cast or forged bar of metal, especially gold, silver, iron, or steel, suitable for further processing, trade, or transport.
"The gold ingot was placed in a secure vault before being sent to the mint."
"Each ingot was cooled, tested, and then weighed before shipment."
"The foundry produces steel ingots for use in construction and manufacturing."
The usual plural is “ingots,” pronounced with the same initial stress as the singular.
"The warehouse stores thousands of ingots awaiting shipment."
An ingot is a piece of metal in its “raw” stage: not a finished tool, but the sturdy blank from which larger metal products can be made.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ingot come from?
The word entered English in the late 16th century from French “ingot,” used for a cast block of metal. The ultimate origin of the French word is uncertain, although proposals have connected it with forms in other European languages. In English, its meaning developed alongside the expanding use of standardized metal bars in trade, minting, and metalworking.
How ingot is actually used
The word is primarily used in technical, industrial, financial, and historical contexts. In bullion and commodity trading, it commonly refers to a standardized bar of precious metal.
Easily confused with ingot
An ingot is a specifically cast or forged block of metal, whereas a bar is the broader term for any elongated piece of metal, wood, or other material.
An ingot is generally a standardized cast or forged block, while a billet is a length of metal intended for further working, such as rolling or machining.