alum

1 of 3

noun (1)

al·​um ˈa-ləm How to pronounce alum (audio)
1
: a potassium aluminum sulfate KAl(SO4)2·12H2O or an ammonium aluminum sulfate NH4Al(SO4)2·12H2O used especially for its astringent and styptic properties
2
: any of various double salts isomorphous with potassium aluminum sulfate
3

alum

2 of 3

noun (2)

: alumnus, alumna
a Yale alum

alum

3 of 3

abbreviation

Did you know?

Is it acceptable to use alum for alumnus or alumna?

The words that we have used to refer to people who have attended or graduated from a school, college, or university have changed a bit over the past several centuries. Traditionally, the word alumnus has been used to refer to a single male, whereas alumna has been used for a single woman. Initially the plural forms were alumni to refer to multiple men (or multiple men and women) and alumnae for multiple women. A little over a hundred years ago the shortened form of alum began to be used to describe a graduate or past attendee of either gender. Although many people feel that alum is informal, it is in increasing use, and we appear to be moving toward a greater acceptance of the word. The plural of alum is alums.

Examples of alum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The Oregon State alum finished with a 53.3 punting grade, according to Pro Football Focus, the lowest of his esteemed career. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025 The Modern Family alum will appear in four episodes. Charna Flam, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025 As Tesla Shares Plummet Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Design: New Leak Hints At Major Upgrade At the cocktail bar up front, PDT alum Larry Gonzalez to oversees the beverage program. Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 The actress joined the show for one episode in 1992, playing Diane Perkins, and returned in 1997 as Hillary Colson. 34 of 35 Isaiah Washington Another Grey’s Anatomy alum, Isaiah Washington secured one of his very first projects as Derek Hardy on Law & Order, appearing on the show in 1991. Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alum

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French alum, alun, from Latin alumen

Noun (2)

by shortening

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alum was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Alum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alum. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

alum

noun
al·​um
ˈal-əm
1
: either of two colorless crystalline compounds containing aluminum that are used in medicine (as to check local sweating or to stop bleeding)
2

Medical Definition

alum

noun
al·​um ˈal-əm How to pronounce alum (audio)
1
: either of two colorless or white crystalline double sulfates of aluminum used in medicine internally as emetics and locally as astringents and styptics:
a
: one KAl(SO4)2·12H2O that is a sulfate of aluminum and potassium

called also potassium alum

b
: one consisting of an ammonium aluminum sulfate NH4Al(SO4)2·12H2O

called also ammonia alum, ammonium alum

2
: any of various double salts isomorphous with potassium aluminum sulfate

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