Answer: An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of a metal with one or more other metals or non-metals; e.g. brass and steel.
An alloy is prepared by melting the main metal and mixing the other elements in it, then cooling the mixture. The alloy has properties different from (and usually better than) those of the pure metal — greater strength, hardness or resistance to corrosion.
Examples: brass (copper + zinc), bronze (copper + tin), steel (iron + carbon), stainless steel (iron + chromium + nickel), solder (lead + tin).