base metal


noun

any metal other than a precious or noble metal, as copper, lead, zinc, or tin. Compare noble metal, precious metal.
the principal metal of an alloy.
the principal metal of a piece underlying a coating of another metal; core.

British Dictionary definitions for base metal

base metal

noun

any of certain common metals such as copper, lead, zinc, and tin, as distinct from the precious metals, gold, silver, and platinum