metal

1 of 2

noun

met·​al ˈme-tᵊl How to pronounce metal (audio)
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
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
6

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
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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of metal was in the 13th century

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.

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 How to pronounce metal (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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