A Blast Furnace Is Named for the Air Blown Into It
A blast is an explosion or a strong gust. The oldest sense is a blowing, which is why furnaces, whistles and wind all take the word.
A blast is an explosion, a strong gust, or a loud sound. The oldest meaning is simply a blowing, and it explains a scattered family of uses: a *blast furnace* is one with air forced through it, a *blast of the horn* is a blown note, and *full blast* means at full airflow. The explosive sense arrived with gunpowder and now dominates.
- An explosion. *The blast shattered windows.*
- A strong gust. *A blast of cold air.*
- A loud sound. *A blast on the whistle.*
- An enjoyable time (informal). *The party was a blast.*
- Blast from the past — something from long ago. *A real blast from the past.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | blast | A loud blast. |
| Verb | blast | Blast the rock. |
| Adjective | blasted | This blasted thing. |
| Compound | blast furnace | A blast furnace. |
| Idiom | full blast | Music at full blast. |
- The controlled blast removed the chimney.Demolition.
- The heating was on full blast.Idiom.
- That song is a blast from the past.American, 1950s.
How a blast furnace works
- Hot air is blown in under pressure — the blast that names it
- Iron ore, coke and limestone are loaded from the top
- The coke burns at temperatures high enough to reduce the ore
- Molten iron collects at the base and is tapped off
- Limestone captures impurities as slag, which floats above the iron
Old English *blæst*, a blowing or breath, from a Germanic root meaning to blow. The explosive sense followed the introduction of gunpowder.
Why is it called a blast furnace?
Because air is blown into it under pressure. The blast is the airflow, not an explosion.
Where does full blast come from?
From the same idea of airflow, at maximum. It later spread to sound and to effort generally.