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
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
metaled or metalled; metaling or metalling
: 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
IEEE Spectrum, 20 Sep. 2023
The board also approved temporary fixes to the prison, including closing off the area above the entrance doors to the prison yard with a security metal soffit, removing basketball hoops and adding correctional officers to the prison yards to supplement the supervision from the guard tower.
—Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2023
Many of those gathered Wednesday at the metal barricades along the roads leading to the Arc de Triomphe were surprised to discover the British king was in the city.
—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
The concrete barricades and metal fencing should be gone by January.
—Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023
For example, metal frames over plastic ones and foam seats with durable covers.
—Jenni Gritters, wsj.com, 20 Sep. 2023
Theodore Roosevelt is said to have survived a 1912 assassination attempt because a fifty-page speech folded in half and a metal glasses case in his breast pocket slowed the bullet.
—Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
At least two vehicles hit the metal debris before the highway was shut down.
—John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
The missile’s warhead detonates a few yards above the ground shortly before impact, blasting metal fragments outward.
—Alexander Cardia, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2023
Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 7 Mar. 2022
The particles of glass and/or metal the company found in some drinks are likely very small.
—Chris Smith, BGR, 23 Nov. 2021
The silicone holder attaches to metal vehicle surfaces (don’t try it on aluminum or fiberglass).
—Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 2 May 2018
See More
Noun
Yeah, there’re hundreds of companies that are out there looking for metals.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Sep. 2023
The board also approved temporary fixes to the prison, including closing off the area above the entrance doors to the prison yard with a security metal soffit, removing basketball hoops and adding correctional officers to the prison yards to supplement the supervision from the guard tower.
—Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2023
Many of those gathered Wednesday at the metal barricades along the roads leading to the Arc de Triomphe were surprised to discover the British king was in the city.
—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
The concrete barricades and metal fencing should be gone by January.
—Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023
For example, metal frames over plastic ones and foam seats with durable covers.
—Jenni Gritters, wsj.com, 20 Sep. 2023
Theodore Roosevelt is said to have survived a 1912 assassination attempt because a fifty-page speech folded in half and a metal glasses case in his breast pocket slowed the bullet.
—Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
At least two vehicles hit the metal debris before the highway was shut down.
—John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
The missile’s warhead detonates a few yards above the ground shortly before impact, blasting metal fragments outward.
—Alexander Cardia, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2023
Verb
Masks, for instance, have metal nose clips, polypropylene filters and elastic headbands.
—Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 7 Mar. 2022
The particles of glass and/or metal the company found in some drinks are likely very small.
—Chris Smith, BGR, 23 Nov. 2021
The silicone holder attaches to metal vehicle surfaces (don’t try it on aluminum or fiberglass).
—Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 2 May 2018
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing metal
Dictionary Entries Near metal
Cite this Entry
“Metal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metal. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on metal
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for metal
Nglish: Translation of metal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of metal for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about metal
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