通常為金屬製的矩形小塊，一面有字母或其他符號，據此排出文本並排版印刷。若指共有特定風格或設計特徵之成組印刷符號，則稱「字體」。

鉛字(排版設備)　(P,,U,繁體中文-偏好,D,,)
ch'ien tzu (P,,U,韋氏拼音-偏好,UF,U,U)
qiān zì (P,,U,漢語拼音-偏好,UF,U,U)
qian zi (P,,U,漢語拼音(無聲調)-偏好,UF,U,U)
type(composition equipment)　(P,,U,英文-偏好,D,U,PN)
printing type(,U,英文-非偏好,UF,U,N)
type, printing(,U,英文-非偏好,UF,U,N)
types(composition equipment)　(,U,英文-非偏好,UF,U,N)
losse gegoten letters(P,,U,荷蘭語-偏好,D,U,U)
losse gegoten letter(,U,荷蘭語-非偏好,AD,U,U)
tipo(P,,U,西班牙語-偏好,D,U,SN)
carácter(,U,西班牙語-非偏好,AD,U,SN)

藝術與建築詞典根目錄
....物件層面
........裝備與設備
............工具與設備 (層級名)
................設備
....................<依程序區分之設備>
........................<圖像製作設備>
............................<印刷與印刷製作設備>
................................<鉛字排版設備>
....................................鉛字 (排版設備)

distinguished from....	字體(活字類型)
activity/event needing/produced by is....	鑄字

英文....	The rectangular pieces, usually metal, having on one side a letter or other character, from which text is composed and set to be printed. For sets of printed characters that share certain characteristics of style or design, use "typefaces."
荷蘭語....	De rechthoekige stukken die meestal van metaal zijn en aan één kant een letter of ander teken hebben, waarvan een tekst wordt samengesteld en gezet om te drukken. Gebruik 'lettertypen' voor series van druktekens die overeenkomsten tonen op het gebied van stijl of ontwerp.

鉛字(排版設備)............	[AS-Academia Sinica]
.................	國家教育研究院－雙語詞彙、學術名詞暨辭書資訊網 May 23, 2014
type(composition equipment)............	[VP]
.................	Gaskell, New Introduction to Bibliography (1972) IND
.................	Lawson, Printing Types (1971) 3
.................	Meggs, History of Graphic Design (1983) IND, bronze, clay, gold, etc.
.................	Chenhall, Revised Nomenclature (1988)
.................	McLean, Manual of Typography (1988) 72, "a font of type"
.................	Random House Dictionary of the English Language (1987) illustration
.................	BHA Subject Headings (1985-)
printing type............	[VP]
.................	Gaskell, New Introduction to Bibliography (1972) illustration, 9
type, printing............	[VP]
.................	Getty Vocabulary Program rules
types(composition equipment)............	[VP]
.................	Gaskell, New Introduction to Bibliography (1972) 4, in text; types
.................	Lawson, Printing Types (1971) TITL; types
.................	Getty Vocabulary Program rules
losse gegoten letters............	[Bureau AAT]
.................	AAT-Ned (1994-)
losse gegoten letter............	[Bureau AAT]
.................	AAT-Ned (1994-)
tipo............	[CDBP-DIBAM]
.................	Pepper, Diccionario de Términos Periodísticos y Gráficos (1959)
carácter............	[CDBP-DIBAM]
.................	Pepper, Diccionario de Términos Periodísticos y Gráficos (1959)
Subject:............	[Bureau AAT]
.................	CDMARC Subjects: LCSH (1988-) Type and type-founding
.................	Meggs, History of Graphic Design (1983) 161, developed 19th cen U.S. for large display type, especially posters.; wood type; metal type
.................	Bureau AAT, RKD

Getty AAT: 300233629 Getty AAT: http://www.getty.edu/vow/AATFullDisplay?find=costume&logic=AND¬e=&subjectid=300233629
聯合目錄： 鉛字 、ch'ien tzu 、qiān zì 、qian zi 、type 、printing type 、type, printing 、types 、losse gegoten letters 、losse gegoten letter 、tipo 、carácter