Bloomery is a term used to describe an early smelting furnace used to produce iron from its ore. Some synonyms for the word bloomery include blast furnace, iron furnace, and furnace. Bloomery is also sometimes referred to as a forge, a foundry, or a kiln. Another term used to describe a type of bloomery is a Catalan forge, which was commonly used in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries. Despite its historical significance, the use of bloomeries has declined over time as more advanced technologies have emerged. However, the term bloomery remains an important part of the lexicon of metallurgy.