alumina

noun

alu·​mi·​na ə-ˈlü-mə-nə How to pronounce alumina (audio)
: the oxide of aluminum Al2O3 that occurs both in pure form as corundum and in hydrated forms (as in bauxite)

Examples of alumina in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The top layer of the disk is a four-micrometer circle of 40-nanometer gold membrane resting on a small piece of alumina on layer of silicon deposited on silica. IEEE Spectrum, 14 Nov. 2019 Strikes hit an alumina refinery and damaged warehouses containing fuel and caustic soda, potentially leaking highly alkaline bauxite residue into the waterway. Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2023 Producers refine an oxide from bauxite to create alumina, which is turned into aluminum metal at smelters. Micah Maidenberg, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2020 Prices of alumina, which is extracted from bauxite, rose until 2018, reviving the mining industry. The Economist, 9 Nov. 2019 Despite business-friendly rules, the recovery of foreign investment has been modest and, after a recent decline in alumina prices, may now falter. The Economist, 9 Nov. 2019 Last year, there was as deficit of alumina, according to the company. Micah Maidenberg, WSJ, 16 Jan. 2019 As Century paid a lot more for alumina, its profit margins were crushed even as aluminum prices surged. Peter Eavis, New York Times, 10 July 2019 Authorities in Brazil ordered a huge alumina producer to operate at half capacity after a spill. Peter Eavis, New York Times, 10 July 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alumina.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin alumin-, alumen alum

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alumina was circa 1790

Dictionary Entries Near alumina

Cite this Entry

“Alumina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alumina. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

alumina

noun
alu·​mi·​na ə-ˈlü-mə-nə How to pronounce alumina (audio)
: the oxide of aluminum that occurs in nature as corundum and in bauxite and is used as a source of aluminum, as an abrasive, and as an absorbent

Medical Definition

alumina

noun
alu·​mi·​na ə-ˈlü-mə-nə How to pronounce alumina (audio)
: an oxide of aluminum Al2O3 that occurs native as corundum and in hydrated forms (as in bauxite) and is used in antacids

called also aluminum oxide

More from Merriam-Webster on alumina

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