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Main meanings of ore in English

: ore¹ öre²

ore¹

Pronunciation /ɔː/

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noun

A naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted profitably.
‘a good deposit of lead-bearing ores’
- ‘the mine's reserves of ore’
- ‘The biggest deposits of the metal ore in the world are to be found in the eastern Congo.’
- ‘Mercury is now extracted from its ores by a method that has been used for hundreds of years.’
- ‘The mountain massifs to the east of the Rhône, however, were less rich in metal ores.’
- ‘Iron, in contrast, combines with elements such as oxygen and sulphur to make mineral ores.’
- ‘Indium is obtained by extracting it from zinc ores while they are being processed to produce zinc metal.’
- ‘Its compounds tend to be found with ores of other metals, such as lead, silver, gold, and cobalt.’
- ‘They live in mountainous regions, and mine ores and metal to craft weapons.’
- ‘The study of rocks, ores and minerals is an integral part of Geology class in school.’
- ‘These metals are typically won from polymetallic ores rich in sulfosalts.’
- ‘Students are taught how to make their own pigments from mineral sources such as ores, soils and carbon black.’
- ‘The most important single application of oxygen is in metallurgy where it is used to extract metals from their ores.’
- ‘This deposit is the biggest in Bulgaria and in Europe for underground extract of gold-copper ores.’
- ‘In my view, the commodity boom is a reminder that the supply of ores, minerals and metals is not infinitely flexible.’
- ‘Activities such as mining and manufacturing greatly increase the release of heavy metals from rocks and ores.’
- ‘In an exhibition of mineral ores those of copper first attract the attention, providing a joy to the eye as do those of no other metal.’
- ‘Water entrapped by molten metal or slag may generate explosive forces that launch hot metal or material ores over a wide area.’
- ‘Specimens of minerals, ores, and gemstones began to be saved for their scientific value and as natural curiosities.’
- ‘It was also used in the production of metals from their ores.’
- ‘Magnesium is extracted from its ores by one of two processes.’
- ‘Microbial mining reactions can, on the other hand, be turned to commercial advantage to extract metals from low-grade ores.’

Origin

Old English ōra ‘unwrought metal’, of West Germanic origin; influenced in form by Old English ār ‘bronze’ (related to Latin aes ‘crude metal, bronze’).