heavy metal

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.

heavy metal

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

Other Words From

• heavy-metal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heavy metal¹

1860–65, for literal sense

Example Sentences

In 2011, the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in Japan badly damaged the world's view of nuclear power, and the price for the heavy metal - a critical component for nuclear fuel - cratered.

From BBC

He feels the group "have moments of real sombreness" mixed with the heavy metal.

From BBC

More than 15 years after the death of heavy metal icon Ronnie James Dio, his widow and friends are continuing the fight against cancer on his behalf.

From Los Angeles Times

They manoeuvre joysticks on what look like large retro game-controllers, as the arms pull used nuclear fuel rods – still glowing hot and highly radioactive - from the heavy metal containers in which they arrived.

From BBC

He liked baseball and heavy metal music and dreamed of joining the Marines.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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