UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈmɛtəl/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈmɛtəl/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(met′l)
When both "l" and "ll" forms exist, spellings with a double "l" are correct, but rare, in US English, while those with a single "l" are not correct in UK English.
Metallurgy, Chemistrya usually solid, shiny, basic substance, as gold, silver, or copper, that can be used to conduct electricity or heat: [uncountable]Early man learned how to use metal for weapons.[countable]Gold is a valuable metal.
Metallurgyan alloy or mixture of such substances, as brass, etc.: [uncountable]Instead of metal, this car was made of fiberglass.[countable]They tried many different metals before they found aluminum.
met•al(met′l),USA pronunciationn., v.,-aled, -al•ing or (esp. Brit.) -alled, -al•ling. n.
Metallurgy, Chemistryany of a class of elementary substances, as gold, silver, or copper, all of which are crystalline when solid and many of which are characterized by opacity, ductility, conductivity, and a unique luster when freshly fractured.
Chemistry
such a substance in its pure state, as distinguished from alloys.
an element yielding positively charged ions in aqueous solutions of its salts.
Metallurgyan alloy or mixture composed wholly or partly of such substances, as brass.
an object made of metal.
formative material; stuff.
mettle.
Printing
See type metal.
the state of being set in type.
Ceramicsmolten glass in the pot or melting tank.
British TermsSee road metal.
v.t.
Metallurgyto furnish or cover with metal.
Civil Engineering[Brit.]to pave or surface (a road) with broken stone.
any of a number of chemical elements, such as iron or copper, that are often lustrous ductile solids, have basic oxides, form positive ions, and are good conductors of heat and electricity
an alloy, such as brass or steel, containing one or more of these elements
the substance of glass in a molten state or as the finished product