copper

1 of 3

noun (1)

cop·​per ˈkä-pər 

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

copper

2 of 3

verb

coppered; coppering ˈkä-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to coat or sheathe with or as if with copper

copper

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural coppers

: police officer

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• bobby [British]
• bull [slang]
• constable [chiefly British]
• cop
• flatfoot [slang]
• fuzz
• gendarme
• lawman
• officer
• police officer
• policeman
• shamus [slang]

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

Noun

The small-batch gin is distilled in a 19th-century copper alembic still and infused with botanicals and peppercorns sourced from small producers using traditional harvesting methods. —Lane Nieset, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

The statistics might say cars and copper are Georgia’s largest exports, but those economists are wrong. —The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

Smith recommends investing in color-boosting conditioners or masks that contain red and copper tones to top up your hue. —Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 9 Jan. 2025

The former gold, silver, copper and palladium mine is now abandoned. —Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English coper, from Old English, from Late Latin cuprum copper, from Latin (aes) Cyprium, literally, Cyprian metal

Noun (2)

cop entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1846, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing copper

• chromated copper arsenate
• copper beech
• copper-bottomed
• copper pyrites
• copper sulfate

Kids 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

ˈkäp-(ə-)rē

adjective

copper

2 of 2 noun

: police officer

Medical 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

coppery

ˈkäp-(ə-)rē 

adjective