metal

noun, often attributive met·al \ ˈme-tᵊl \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of metal

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 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 2

See metal defined for English-language learners

See metal defined for kids

Examples of metal in a Sentence

a mixture of various kinds of metal
sculptors who work in metal and clay
a mixture of different metals

Recent Examples of metal from the Web

The areas of manufacturing will include new-energy vehicles, computer, communication and consumer electronics and household products, as well as commodities like silicon metal and coal, according to Wu.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "How Seven Stars Cloud Plans To Spend $283M In West Hartford," 14 July 2018
The grapes are crushed, usually in September, filtered, stirred, strained and stored in large metal or concrete tanks for various periods, then siphoned into oak barrels for aging and blending.

— jo ellen meyers sharp, Indianapolis Star, "The Hoosier Gardener: Trip to Bordeaux wine country is an educational experience," 13 July 2018
Reusable straws in materials like bamboo, silicone, glass, and metal are on the rise, and many are sold with a brush to clean them in-between uses.

— alice bell, Vogue, "11 Stylish, Sustainable Straws to Help You Cut Down on Single-Use Plastic," 13 July 2018
Popular alternatives for plastic straws include options made from biodegradable paper and metal, the latter of which are typically reusable once cleaned.

— gina martinez, Time, "'Disabled People Are Not Part of the Conversation.' Advocates Speak Out Against Plastic Straw Bans," 12 July 2018
The proposed $200 billion round would also hit a wide range of items used by homes and businesses, including metal and wooden furniture, lighting fixtures and travel and sports bags.

— dan strumpf, WSJ, "Key Chinese Electronic Parts and Seafood Targeted in Latest U.S. Tariff Threat," 11 July 2018
The United States has imposed sanctions on Russian oil, metals and banking companies.

— andrew e. kramer, New York Times, "A Diamond Giant Plays Up Its Russian Ties to Appeal to Americans," 11 July 2018
Decor: Concrete floors, white subway tile, rustic wood and metal combine for a modern and industrial vibe.

— jane donahue, Naperville Sun, "Get a taste of Up North at new Naperville ale house," 10 July 2018
Anti-straw activists often suggest using straws made of paper, metal or glass -- or simply drinking without one.

— zlati meyer, USA TODAY, "Starbucks to scrap plastic straws globally by 2020," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'metal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of metal

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

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

metal

verb

Definition of metal

metaled or metalled; metaling or metalling

transitive verb

: to cover or furnish with metal

Recent Examples of metal from the Web

The silicone holder attaches to metal vehicle surfaces (don’t try it on aluminum or fiberglass).

— kim campbell thornton, sacbee, "What’s shaking in dog- and cat-product innovations? | The Sacramento Bee," 2 May 2018

First Known Use of metal

1617

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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METAL Defined for English Language Learners

metal

noun

Definition of metal for English Language Learners

: a substance (such as gold, tin, or copper) that usually has a shiny appearance, is a good conductor of electricity and heat, can be melted, and is usually capable of being shaped

METAL Defined for Kids

metal

noun met·al \ ˈme-tᵊl \

Definition of metal for Students

1 : a substance (as gold, tin, copper, or bronze) that has a more or less shiny appearance, is a good conductor of electricity and heat, and usually can be made into a wire or hammered into a thin sheet

2 : mettle

Medical Dictionary

metal

noun met·al \ ˈmet-ᵊl \

medical Definition of metal

: 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