metal definition - Dictionary

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metal

met·al [ métt'l ]

noun (plural met·als)

Definition:

1. type of chemical element: a chemical element that is malleable and ductile, usually solid, has a characteristic luster, and is a good conductor of heat and electricity, e.g. copper or iron

2. mixture of metals: a mixture alloy of one or more metals

3. music ( slang )
Same as heavy metal (sense 1)

4. printing type: printer's type made of metal

5. molten glass: molten glass for use in glassmaking

6. heraldry gold or silver: in heraldry, gold or silver

7. navy weight fired in broadside: the collective weight of the projectiles a warship can fire in a broadside

8. U.K. roads
Same as road metal

transitive verb (past and past participle met·aled or met·alled, present participle met·al·ing or met·al·ling, 3rd person present singular met·als)

Definition:

1. fit something with metal: to cover, fit, or provide something with metal

2. U.K. make or mend road: to make or repair a road with broken stones road metal

[13th century. Directly or via French< Latin metallum "mine, metal" < Greek metallon]

Spelling Note


	metal or mettle? Do not confuse the spelling of metal and mettle, which sound similar. Metal is chiefly used as a noun denoting a type of chemical element, but also sometimes as a verb, meaning "to provide something with metal" or "to put broken stones on a road." Mettle is only a noun, meaning "spirit" or "mental character"