heavy metal

American  

noun

1. any metal with a specific gravity of 5.0 or greater, especially one that is toxic to organisms, as lead, mercury, copper, and cadmium.

2. aggressive and heavily amplified rock music, commonly performed by groups that wear spectacular or bizarre costumes.

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heavy metal British  

noun

1. 1. a type of rock music characterized by a strong beat and amplified instrumental effects, sometimes with violent, or nihilistic lyrics

   2. ( as modifier )

      a heavy-metal band

2. a metal with a high specific gravity

3. military large guns or shot

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Other Word Forms

• heavy-metal adjective

Etymology

Origin of heavy metal

1860–65, for literal sense

Example Sentences

The Iran war is unleashing a toxic mix of chemicals, heavy metals and other pollutants that threaten everything from agriculture to drinking water to people’s health.

From Los Angeles Times

He chose as his number two a heavy metal guitarist from San Francisco — stage name “Turmoil” — who is a progressive Democrat.

From Los Angeles Times

Although platinum was not measured in those cases, they show that Icelandic volcanoes can transport heavy metals over long distances.

From Science Daily

Initial testing by the nonprofit environmental group Heal the Bay in the weeks after the fires documented a spike in lead, mercury and other heavy metals in coastal waters.

From Los Angeles Times

The results, he claimed, revealed elevated levels of heavy metals, such as mercury, in 16 of the products tested.

From Salon

Related Words

• melody
• opera
• piece
• rap
• rock
• singing
• soul
• tune