aluminum

noun

alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm How to pronounce aluminum (audio)
: a silver-white metallic chemical element with atomic number 13 that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation
—often used before another noun
aluminum foil
The sweet spot, the point in a bat where vibration supposedly is least, is said to be two times larger on an aluminum bat than on a wood one.—Hank Hersch
Before he evacuated, Mr. Gonzales tied the boat down with four gigantic ropes and all the storm could do was knock it off the construction blocks. He slowly climbs a battered aluminum ladder propped up on the port side.—Ken Wells
 see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of aluminum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The curvaceous coupé wears an aluminum body that features an extended nose and a driver’s compartment positioned atop the rear wheels. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024 Considering this, focusing on products with durable materials like aluminum, as seen in the GearLight S100 LED Tactical Flashlight, are great to consider. —Jack Byram, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2024 Cutting Carbon: The Biden administration plans to spend up to $6 billion on new technologies to cut carbon dioxide emissions from heavy industries like steel, cement, chemicals and aluminum, which are all enormous contributors to global warming but incredibly difficult to clean up. —Jack Ewing, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024 The victims included a mother and son who were stabbed to death at their home, a postal worker who died after being stabbed and run over by a truck driven by the attacker, and a 15-year-old girl who was beaten to death with an aluminum softball bat in her home, Hanley said. —Yoori Han, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2024 Water is served in aluminum cans, and refill stations are located throughout the event. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024 The federal funding is meant to allow the salt slag to be recycled back into the aluminum recycling process or sent to other industries for use. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024 Point Pleasant Bridge in West Virginia The Point Pleasant Bridge, colloquially known as the Silver Bridge for its aluminum paint, collapsed during heavy rush hour traffic on Dec. 15, 1967. —Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024 The new Cat 133 model showcases the same futuristic design as its polarizing predecessor, with sweeping, curved lines, a sleek aluminum superstructure, and swathes of striking glass. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aluminum.' 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 alumina

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aluminum was in 1812

Phrases Containing aluminum

Dictionary Entries Near aluminum

aluminous cake

aluminum

aluminum 26

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Aluminum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aluminum. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

aluminum

noun
alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm How to pronounce aluminum (audio)
: a silver-white malleable light element that conducts electricity and heat well, is highly resistant to oxidation, and is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust see element

Medical Definition

aluminum

noun
alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm How to pronounce aluminum (audio)
often attributive
: a bluish silver-white malleable ductile light trivalent metallic element that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation and is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust where it always occurs in combination
—symbol Al see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on aluminum

Nglish: Translation of aluminum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of aluminum for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aluminum

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