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

Some research on microplastics has suggested plastic particles can absorb environmental toxins and carry heavy metals, whilst there are also concerns that chemicals in plastic can interact with hormones in the body.

From BBC

But he said there was now hope on the horizon, potentially in the form of the town's homegrown heavy metal hero, a decade on from his death in 2015.

From BBC

Such wildfires are increasing in frequency and scope, and release heavy metals and other toxins into the air as they engulf homes and cars.

From The Wall Street Journal

But his first big success came with the 1984 mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap, which chronicled the misadventures of a fictional British heavy metal band.

From BBC

Some parents of children with autism, desperate for a remedy, have long reached for dubious and at times dangerous panaceas, including hyperbaric oxygen chambers and chelation therapy, used for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning.

From Salon

Related Words

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