metal

1 of 2

noun

met·​al ˈme-tᵊl 

often attributive

1

: any of various opaque, fusible, ductile, and typically lustrous substances that are good conductors of electricity and heat, form cations by loss of electrons, and yield basic oxides and hydroxides

especially : one that is a chemical element as distinguished from an alloy

2

a

: mettle sense 1a

b

: the substance out of which a person or thing is made

3

: glass in its molten state

4

a

: printing type metal

b

: matter set in metal type

5

: road metal

6

: heavy metal sense 2

metal

2 of 2

verb

metaled or metalled; metaling or metalling

transitive verb

: to cover or furnish with metal

Examples of metal in a Sentence

Noun

a mixture of various kinds of metal

sculptors who work in metal and clay

a mixture of different metals

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Because of wartime restrictions on metal and wood, cabinets were open shelves. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2024

Some homes there are leveled with trees and metal lining the area. —Lucia Suarez Sang, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin metallum mine, metal, from Greek metallon

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1617, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing metal

• alkali metal
• alkaline earth metal
• bell metal
• Britannia metal
• death metal
• expanded metal
• heavy metal
• hot metal
• metal detector
• metal detectorist
• misch metal
• put the pedal to the metal
• road metal
• sheet metal
• transition metal
• white metal

Kids Definition

metal

noun

met·​al

ˈmet-ᵊl

1

: any of various substances (as gold, tin, or copper) that have a more or less shiny appearance, are good conductors of electricity and heat, can be melted, and are usually capable of being shaped

especially : one that is a chemical element rather than an alloy

2

: mettle sense 2

metal adjective

Medical Definition

metal

noun

met·​al ˈmet-ᵊl 

: any of various opaque, fusible, ductile, and typically lustrous substances that are good conductors of electricity and heat, form cations by loss of electrons, and yield basic oxides and hydroxides

especially : one that is a chemical element as distinguished from an alloy