to metal
- verb
- /ˈmɛtəl/
- Archaic
- To improve access, they need to metal the driveway with gravel.
Examples
-
The workers will metal the road to ensure it is safe for cars to drive on.
-
The construction team plans to metal the path before the delivery trucks arrive.
-
Well, I am about to metal detect on our exit and then pop up on land.
Synonyms
To cover a road with layers of small broken stones pressed together
Idioms
- Informal
To drive or work as fast as possible, often to finish something
Compounds
A type of loud, powerful rock with strong guitar sounds, fast drums, and angry lyrics
- Specialized
A bullet with a lead core covered in hard metal like copper that does not break on impact
- Specialized
A soft, very reactive metal like sodium or potassium that easily loses one electron
A large round metal container that holds liquids and dry goods for storage and transport
- Specialized
A metal that does not get damaged by air or water, like gold and platinum
- Specialized
The job of shaping and joining thin metal sheets to make building parts like vents
Silvery white metal people make from tin mixed with small amounts of other metals used for tableware and decorative items
- Specialized
A soft metal that reacts strongly with water, like lithium, sodium, or potassium
- Specialized
A metal like calcium or magnesium that makes substances that are not acidic
- Specialized
A soft metal made from tin and small amounts of other metals used to line bearings to reduce friction
- Specialized
A mix of metals used to make lighter flints because it catches fire easily when struck
- Specialized
A strong metal made from nickel and copper that does not rust easily in salt water
- Specialized
A strong metal made from nickel and copper that resists corrosion and is used for machines and equipment
- Specialized
A strong metal made from copper and zinc used to make cast parts like boat fittings and bolts
- Specialized
An alloy that melts at low heat used for soldering and in devices like sprinkler fuses
- Specialized
A type of brass with more copper used for items that need a reddish gold look
- Specialized
A hard metal made from lead and a little antimony that forms the grids inside storage batteries
- Specialized
A soft metal mixture mostly made of lead used to make small pellets for shotgun shells
- Archaic
A mix of three metals like lead and tin that printers use to make letters for printing
- Specialized
A silvery metal made from tin or lead used for bearings and moving machine parts
- Specialized
A soft mixture of metals that melts at a low temperature near 71 degrees Celsius
Surface Forms
Etymology
A helpful way to remember the verb metal (to metal a road) is to think of giving the road a hard, durable surface like metal or broken stone. The word grew from the idea of covering a road with strong material, so to metal a road means to cover it with hard stone so vehicles can use it.