Definition

Noun: - Discarded metal suitable for reprocessing: "Scrap metal" refers to waste metal or metallic material that is no longer used in its original form but is collected and processed so it can be reused in manufacturing.

Usage

"Scrap metal" is an uncountable noun. It refers to the collective material itself, not to individual pieces. It is commonly used in contexts of recycling, waste management, and industrial processing.

Examples

• The old factory was demolished, and all the scrap metal was sold to a recycling yard.
• He makes a living by collecting and selling scrap metal.
• The sculpture was created entirely from found scrap metal.

Advanced Usage

• "To sell something for scrap metal": This idiom means to sell an item, typically a large object like a car or appliance, specifically for the value of the metal it contains, after it is no longer functional or useful.
  • After the ship was decommissioned, it was sold for scrap metal.

Variants and Related Words

• Scrap (noun): A small piece or amount of something, especially one that is left over after the greater part has been used. Can also refer to discarded metal more generally.
  • A scrap of paper / The car was turned into scrap.
• Scrapyard (noun): A place where scrap metal and other discarded materials are collected and processed.
  • The old bus ended up in the scrapyard.

Synonyms

• Recyclable metal: Metal waste that can be processed for reuse.
• Junk metal: Informal term for old or discarded metal.

Related Phrases

• Scrap metal dealer: A person or company that buys and sells scrap metal.
  • We took the old pipes to the local scrap metal dealer.
• Scrap metal recycling: The process of converting scrap metal into new raw materials.
  • Scrap metal recycling is an important industry for the environment.

Noun

1. discarded metal suitable for reprocessing
   • he finally sold the car for scrap metal