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

Example Sentences

He listens to heavy metal.

lead, gold, and other heavy metals

Recent Examples on the Web

The 1980s, known as the golden age of Korean rock, saw a proliferation of rock bands—including the rise of heavy metal—before interest in rock waned in the early 1990s. —Regina Kim, ELLE, 10 Feb. 2023

He is widely credited with expanding the possibilities of blues music and popularized the use of audio feedback and distortion, influencing the sound of heavy metal. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 14 Jan. 2023

Since its inaugural edition in 2018, the fest has become synonymous with a decidedly old-school strain of heavy metal that has more often found a home in Europe. —Brad Sanders, Chron, 3 Jan. 2023

Some stepped up and took pictures with the display, throwing up horns, the classic forked fingers of heavy metal, used by some denominations of Satanism as a salute. —Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2022

After 50 years of heavy metal, Judas Priest has become part of the fabric of life. —Jose Mangin, Variety, 4 Nov. 2022

The voyage will be making its first ever trip to Cozumel, Mexico, from Miami and fans can look forward to photo opps with legendary wrestlers, performances by heavy metal band Fozzy, and live tapings of Jericho's podcast Talk Is Jericho. —Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2023

Steve Grimmett, the singer who led British heavy metal band Grim Reaper from the early ‘80s onward, has died at age 62, according to published reports. —al, 16 Aug. 2022

Toxic heavy metal from the explosive devices is often left behind. —Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1