pewter

/ˈpjudər/

/ˈpjutə/

Other forms: pewters

Pewter is a silver-colored metal that's been used for decorative objects and plates, cups, and bowls since ancient times. It was once common to use pewter to make lidded tankards for drinking and large cauldrons for cooking.

Pewter is a metal alloy, which means it's a combination of several kinds of metal. There's always tin and copper in pewter, and it once commonly included lead, which we now know is dangerous for humans to consume. As a result, much antique pewter tableware isn't considered safe to use, although it's an attractive decoration. Pewter made today doesn't contain lead, but it's still most often used in candlesticks, picture frames, and other decorative objects.

Definitions of pewter

1. noun

   any of various alloys of tin with small amounts of other metals (especially lead)
   type of:

   alloy, metal

   a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten