heavy metal

noun

1
: a metal of high specific gravity
2
: energetic and highly amplified electronic rock music having a hard beat
Borrowing elements of everything from grunge to progressive rock, from gospel to heavy metalDavid Okamoto

Examples of heavy metal in a Sentence

He listens to heavy metal. lead, gold, and other heavy metals
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Quinoa, barley, and couscous have lower levels of arsenic and heavy metals. Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026 In addition to the style of dance in all its gyrating glory, krump has its own genre of music, which lands somewhere between hip-hop, techno and heavy metal, and a style of dress that is in tune with hip-hop street style sprinkled with a touch of the Juggalo culture. Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2026 As janitor fish are edible in some countries, concerns over heavy metal contamination mean they won't be immediately approved for consumption in Jakarta. ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 Lead, a heavy metal once common in products like pipes and paints, is a neurotoxin that can stunt children’s development, lower IQ scores and increase blood pressure in adults, according to the Associated Press. Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavy metal

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heavy metal was in 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy metal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy%20metal. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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