aluminum

British, al·u·min·i·um

[uh-loo-muh-nuhm]

noun

1. Chemistry.,  a silver-white metallic element, light in weight, ductile, malleable, and not readily corroded or tarnished, occurring combined in nature in igneous rock, shale, clay, and most soil: used in alloys and for lightweight utensils, castings, airplane parts, etc. alum.; Al; 26.98; 13; 2.70 at 20°C.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or containing aluminum.

   an aluminum frying pan.

aluminum

1. Symbol Al A lightweight, silvery-white metallic element that is ductile, is found chiefly in bauxite, and is a good conductor of electricity. It is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust and is used to make a wide variety of products from soda cans to airplane components. Atomic number 13; atomic weight 26.9815; melting point 660.3°C (1,220.5°F); boiling point 2,519°C; specific gravity 2.70; valence 3.

2. See Periodic Table

Other Word Forms

• aluminic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aluminum¹

1812; from New Latin; aluminum was an alteration, by Humphry Davy, of alumium, which was first proposed; the chiefly British variant aluminium was formed after other metals in -ium. See alumina, -ium

Example Sentences

“I mean, they made the first plastic chair. They made the first molded plywood chair. They were the first to use aluminum in a certain way.”

From Los Angeles Times

By the end of the third day of the water ban, using a $4 million mix of aluminum and chlorine, Lake Erie was shocked like a pool back to safe levels.

From Salon

He hit Canadian steel and aluminum with up to 50% tariffs, and slapped Canadian pharmaceuticals and autos with 35% tariffs, depending on where components are made.

From Salon

Auto manufacturers and other major industrial producers must now pay a premium for aluminum of $900 per metric ton above the international price.

From Salon

Mexico is fighting to reverse proposed 25% tariffs on auto imports and 50% tariffs on imports of copper, steel and aluminum, among other levies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bottle 
• bucket 
• canister 
• jar 
• package