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
David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
Today Boise picks up recyclable paper, metals and plastic through its Curb It program.
—Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2024
Riis Williams, Scientific American, 14 May 2024
Masks, for instance, have metal nose clips, polypropylene filters and elastic headbands.
—Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 7 Mar. 2022
See all Example Sentences for metal 
Noun
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The metal has been associated with a range of neurological and cardiovascular conditions, as well as problems with our kidneys, our blood, our immune system and our reproductive health.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
Today Boise picks up recyclable paper, metals and plastic through its Curb It program.
—Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2024
Verb
The researchers adjusted the mixtures’ acidity and temperature to alter the charge of sugar molecules on the yeast organisms’ surfaces; particular metals are drawn to specific charges on the sugars, so this process controlled which metals the yeast attracted and bound.
—Riis Williams, Scientific American, 14 May 2024
Masks, for instance, have metal nose clips, polypropylene filters and elastic headbands.
—Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 7 Mar. 2022
See all Example Sentences for metal
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.
Dictionary Entries Near metal
Cite this Entry
“Metal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metal. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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