plural coppers
1
: a metallic chemical element with atomic number 29 that is easily formed into sheets and wires and is one of the best known conductors of heat and electricity
—often used before another noun
copper wire
a copper mug
copper mines
see Chemical Elements Table
2
: a coin or token made of copper or bronze
3
chiefly British
: a large boiler (as for cooking)
4
: any of a subfamily (Lycaeninae of the family Lycaenidae) of small butterflies with usually copper-colored wings
Examples of copper in a Sentence
Noun (2)
a crime novel set in the days when policemen were coppers and safecrackers were "yeggs"
Recent Examples on the Web
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Half of the copper roof was torn off, and holes in what remained were letting in water, according to Victoria Rebeck, director of communications for the Northern Illinois Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Senate legislation to restore miners' ability to site support facilities, to add copper to the USGS critical mineral list, and to address mineral processing have all gained momentum.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
The company continues to focus on its fiber optic and copper data communication product offerings, addressing both enterprise and specialty market needs.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for copper
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Noun
The gin is distilled in small batches using a copper pot still and features four main botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root, and licorice.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Half of the copper roof was torn off, and holes in what remained were letting in water, according to Victoria Rebeck, director of communications for the Northern Illinois Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Senate legislation to restore miners' ability to site support facilities, to add copper to the USGS critical mineral list, and to address mineral processing have all gained momentum.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
The company continues to focus on its fiber optic and copper data communication product offerings, addressing both enterprise and specialty market needs.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for copper
Cite this Entry
“Copper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copper. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
copper
1 of 2 noun
cop·per
ˈkäp-ər 
1
: a reddish metallic element that is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity see element
2
: a copper or bronze coin
3
chiefly British
: a large copper kettle or boiler
4
: any of various small butterflies with usually copper-colored wings
coppery
adjective
ˈkäp-(ə-)rē
copper
2 of 2 nounMedical Definition
copper
noun
cop·per
ˈkäp-ər
: a metallic chemical element with atomic number 29 that is ductile and malleable and one of the best conductors of heat and electricity
—symbol Cu
see Chemical Elements Table
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