welding

IPA/ˈwel.dɪŋ/
KK[wˈɛldɪŋ]IPA/ˈwel.dɪŋ/

welding — noun

1. a method of permanently fixing pieces of metal by heating their surfaces until t

1.nounB2
Definition

a method of permanently fixing pieces of metal by heating their surfaces until they soften and can be pressed together to form a single strong piece when cooled

Example

Élise learned basic welding in shop class and built a small metal shelf.

collocation: learn + welding

The iron gate needed urgent welding after a truck hit it during the storm.

noun as subject: [object] + needs + welding

Common collocations
  • welding torch
  • welding rod
  • welding technique
  • welding equipment
  • arc welding
  • laser welding
  • spot welding
  • do welding
  • learn welding
  • welding work
Synonyms
  • soldering

    uses lower heat and a filler metal with a lower melting point; not as strong as welding

  • brazing

    uses a filler metal above 450°C but the base metal is not melted; a related but different process

  • metal joining

    a broader, more formal term that includes welding, soldering, and other techniques

Grammar Patterns

welding + noun (attributive)

do + welding

welding + preposition + object

Usage Note

Uncountable — you cannot say 'a welding' or 'welding(s)'. To refer to a single instance, use 'a weld' or 'a piece of welding work'.

Common Mistakes

He learned a welding at the technical college.
He learned welding at the technical college.
welding is an uncountable noun, not used with 'a'.
The welding on the pipe were weak.
The welding on the pipe was weak.
welding is a singular uncountable noun, takes a singular verb.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Welding, soldering, and brazing are all methods of joining metal, but they differ in temperature and strength. Welding melts the base metal pieces themselves so they fuse together — this produces the strongest joint and is used for structural work like bridges and ship hulls. Soldering uses a low-melting-point filler metal (often tin‑lead) and does not melt the pieces being joined; it is common for electronics and plumbing. Brazing is similar to soldering but uses a higher temperature (above 450°C), giving a stronger bond than solder but still weaker than a weld. Forging is different again — it uses hammering or pressing force on heated metal rather than melting. In everyday language, 'welding' is the most widely understood term for permanently fusing metal.

soldering ↗brazing ↗metal joiningforging ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • welding torch
  • welding rod
  • welding mask
  • welding helmet
  • welding equipment
  • welding technique
  • welding machine
  • welding wire
  • welding work
  • welding joint

Adverbs

Phrases

  • do welding
  • learn welding
  • teach welding
  • use welding
  • require welding
  • involve welding

Prepositions

  • in welding
  • of welding
  • by welding
  • through welding

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'weld' traces back to Old English 'weallan', meaning 'to boil' or 'to bubble up' — an image that matches the way early blacksmiths heated iron until it became soft and bubbly before hammering pieces together. The noun 'welding' (referring to the activity or process) appeared in English during the 1600s as metalworking developed into a more organised trade.