base-metal
Noun
(plural base metals)
- (chemistry) Any metal at the lower end of the electrochemical series that oxidizes readily.
- (metallurgy) The metal to be welded (rather than that used to weld).
- A common or inexpensive metal
- (chiefly alchemy) one that was hoped to be transmuted into a precious metal.
Noun
- attributive form of base metal
- base-metal sample
base metal - Investment & Finance Definition
Any metal from the group of metals that includes copper, aluminum, lead, nickel, tin, and zinc. Traders on the London Metal Exchange, as well as other exchanges, such as the New York Mercantile Exchange, trade futures contracts on base metals. Base metals are in contrast to precious metals, such as gold and silver.
