Amount of distribution received from equity method investee for return on investment, classified as operating activities. Excludes distribution for return of investment, classified as investing activities.

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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.

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The amount of assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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The amount of net income (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

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Cumulative distributions from an equity method investee in excess of the entity's investment balance in the investee.

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Equity method investment summarized financial information allocated cost.

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Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Nov. 30, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	May 31, 2017
WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%		50.00%
Cumulative distributions in excess of investment			$ 61,085
Proceeds from sale of equity method investments			45,000
Net earnings	$ (1,703)		(273)
Net assets	31,500		31,500
Expense from new cost-sharing agreement	2,263		2,263
Unconsolidated Affiliates
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates			38,948
Net earnings	30,190	$ 63,444	82,664	$ 149,511
Net assets	$ 975,687		$ 975,687		$ 975,668
Joint Venture Transactions \| ArtiFlex
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%		50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| ClarkDietrich
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	25.00%		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%		31.25%
Joint Venture Transactions \| Serviacero
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%		50.00%
Joint Venture Transactions \| WAVE
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Percent of interest by unconsolidated affiliates	50.00%		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%		10.00%