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

The Biden administration hiked up certain tariffs, too, raising levies on Chinese goods, including electric vehicles, solar cells, and certain steel and aluminum products. —Mariana Mazzucato, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

President Donald Trump recently enacted a 10% across-board-tariff on goods coming from China and 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 25 Feb. 2025

To date, Trump has proposed four different tariffs: 10 percent on all imports from China, 25 percent on all imports from Mexico and Canada** and an additional 25 percent tariff on imports of steel and aluminum from every country. —G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2025

Homebuyers in North Carolina can expect to pay more for homes in the coming months due to tariffs placed on all steel and aluminum exports by President Trump. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 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

Rhymes for aluminum

• aluminium

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