metal

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Music

n. a type of very loud rock music with strong beats and powerful guitars.

n. a subgenre of rock music characterized by distorted guitar sounds, emphatic rhythms, and overall high volume.

“He loves listening to metal because the energy helps him focus while exercising.”

“The festival lineup features a diverse array of metal bands, ranging from classic thrash to more experimental symphonic subgenres.”

C1 · Advanced Plural noun British English

n. the metal rails that a train travels on.

n. the steel rails of a railway line. Often used in the plural.

“The train came off the metals during the storm, but luckily no one was hurt.”

“Engineers were called to inspect the metals after reports of heat-induced warping threatened to disrupt the morning commute.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Travel Informal · Technical

n. the actual airplane or airline that is flying, rather than the company that sold the ticket.

n. the physical aircraft or the specific airline operating a flight in a codeshare agreement.

“I bought my ticket from Delta, but the flight is actually on Virgin metal.”

“Frequent flyers often prefer to book through one partner while ensuring they are flying on the metal of a carrier with superior cabin service.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Music Informal

adj. relating to metal music, or having a bold and tough attitude like the music.

adj. pertaining to the genre of metal music or exhibiting the brash, unyielding characteristics associated with its subculture.

“That new guitar riff is so metal.”

“The band's aesthetic was incredibly metal, featuring spiked leather jackets and dark, aggressive stage lighting.”

C2 · Proficiency Technical

v. to cover a road with layers of small broken stones.

v. to surface or repair a road using macadam or crushed stone.

“The workers began to metal the track to make it easier for trucks to drive on.”

“The council decided to metal the rural pass to prevent the heavy rains from washing away the dirt track every spring.”