heavy metal

noun

1

: a metal of high specific gravity

2

: energetic and highly amplified electronic rock music having a hard beat

Borrowing elements of everything from grunge to progressive rock, from gospel to heavy metal …

—David Okamoto

Examples of heavy metal in a Sentence

He listens to heavy metal.

lead, gold, and other heavy metals

Recent Examples on the Web

Most people don't realize their shower water could be the culprit for dry skin and hair shedding because some tap water is full of heavy metals and harsh chemicals that can damage hair and irritate skin over time. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Every hour, for eight hours a day, a performer in a rotating cast climbs a rope hanging from the bell, flips herself upside down inside it, and acts as a Boschian clapper, using the force of her body and a heavy metal belt. — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Before the iconic heavy metal band takes the stage at Sphere for 24 shows from October 2026 through March 2027, Ulrich shared his candid thoughts on the upcoming residency in a new interview on U2 guitarist The Edge’s SiriusXM show. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

The heavy metal musicians, the Volfgang Twins, perform on the double tribal/Viking drums at their live shows. — Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heavy metal

• diacetyl
• acetyl
• bimetal
• gunmetal
• nonmetal
• resettle
• teakettle
• unsettle
• betel
• cetyl
• kettle
• mettle