Definition
A solid block or bar of metal that has been cast from a molten state into a simple shape, intended for later working, rolling, forging, or remelting into finished aircraft materials such as sheet, plate, or extrusions.
Plain English
A chunk of metal poured into a mold and allowed to harden, which will later be shaped into something useful.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft materials and manufacturing discussions, especially when describing how aluminum or other metals begin before they are formed into aircraft structure.
Derivation
From Middle English 'ingot,' meaning something poured in. The 'in' part means 'into' and the older sense of 'got' relates to pouring. It captures exactly what an ingot is: metal poured into a form.
Why Pilots Care
A pilot or maintenance student may see this term when learning where aircraft metals come from and why proper material processing matters to aircraft strength and reliability.
Analogy
Think of an ice cube tray. You pour water in, it freezes into a simple shape, and later you use that shape for something else. An ingot is the same idea with metal.
Intuition Check
An ingot is not a finished aircraft part. It is an early, raw form of metal that will be processed further before it becomes usable aircraft material.
Example Sentence 1
Aluminum used in aircraft skin begins as an ingot, which is then rolled into thin sheets at the mill.
Example Sentence 2
Raw titanium arrived at the shop in ingot form before being forged into spar sections.