This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 13
-Article 5

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
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Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Mar. 01, 2016
WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Cumulative distributions in excess of investment	$ 58,430,000
Joint Venture Transactions \| Worthington Specialty Processing
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	51.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| ArtiFlex
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| ClarkDietrich
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	25.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Samuel Steel Pickling Company
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	31.25%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Seviacero
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Zhejiang Nisshin Worthington Precision Specialty Steel Co
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	10.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Subsequent Event \| Worthington Specialty Processing
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates		51.00%
Unconsolidated Affiliates
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	$ 65,318,000