aluminum

noun

alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm 

: 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

Earlier this week, Trump announced plans to impose sweeping tariffs on all steel, aluminum and copper imported to the U.S. as well as goods such as computer chips, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals in a push to increase U.S. production of the products. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025

Renault was able to limit the rest of the vehicle’s weight to under 900 pounds by utilizing a composite chassis made of a unique mixture of aluminum, steel alloys, and carbon. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2025

Specifically, the participants' aluminum, zinc, and cadmium levels were significantly lower after cupping.10 However, more research is needed to verify its effectiveness. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 29 Jan. 2025

The guests moved on to discuss how serious Trump was in imposing tariffs on all Russian exports, including aluminum and wheat, while oil could fetch less than $50 a barrel soon. —Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alumine "alumina" (borrowed from French, borrowed from Latin alūmin-, alūmen alum entry 1) + -um (in the names of other metals, as platinum entry 1, tantalum)

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aluminum

• aluminum foil
• aluminum oxide
• aluminum sulfate

Kids Definition

aluminum

noun

alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm 

: 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 

: a silver-white malleable ductile light trivalent metallic chemical element with atomic number 13 that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation

—symbol Al see Chemical Elements Table