I. steel 1 S3 W3 /stiːl/ BrE AmE noun
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: style , stele ]
1 . [uncountable] strong metal that can be shaped easily, consisting of iron and ↑ carbon :
a steel bridge
stainless steel (=steel that does not change colour) knives
2 . [uncountable] the industry that makes steel:
Sheffield is a major steel town.
3 . nerves of steel the ability to be brave and calm in a dangerous or difficult situation
4 . [countable] a thin bar of steel used for making knives sharp
II. steel 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
steel yourself to prepare yourself to do something that you know will be unpleasant or upsetting
steel yourself to do something
He steeled himself not to look away.