The ability of metal to resist wear, cutting, or penetration is known as:

The term used to describe the ability of metal to resist wear, cutting, or penetration is hardness. Hardness is a key property that indicates how well a material can withstand surface deformation, which is crucial in applications where metals are subjected to friction or mechanical stress. Materials with high hardness are less likely to be scratched or otherwise damaged by other objects, making them suitable for tools and components that must maintain their shape and surface integrity over time.

In this context, strength refers to the ability of a material to withstand an applied load without failure, but it does not specifically address wear or penetration. Elasticity describes a material's ability to return to its original shape after deformation, which is not directly related to resistance to wear or cutting. Malleability, on the other hand, is the ability of a metal to be deformed under compressive stress, typically seen in the context of shaping materials rather than their resistance to wear. Therefore, hardness is the most appropriate term for describing a metal's resistance to wear, cutting, or penetration.