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au

1 American  
[oh] / oʊ /
French.

plural

aux
  1. to the; at the; with the.


Au 2 American  

abbreviation

  1. author. Also au


Au 3 American  
Symbol, Chemistry.
  1. gold.


AU 4 American  

abbreviation

  1. astronomical unit.


A.U. 5 American  
Or a.u.

abbreviation

  1. angstrom unit.


Au 1 British  

symbol

  1. gold

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

au 2 British  

abbreviation

  1. Australia

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

AU 3 British  

abbreviation

  1. African Union

  2. Also: a.u..  angstrom unit

  3. Also: a.u..  astronomical unit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

AU Scientific  
  1. Abbreviation of astronomical unit


Etymology

Origin of Au

From the Latin word aurum

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Alnour Mohamed Ali, a Sudanese national, was charged with endangering life after the four people died while trying to board a water taxi off the coast of Saint Etienne au Mont, near Calais.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Writing in a local cafe is not only cheaper—the price of a café au lait—but also offers the illusion of companionship without any of its intrusions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

It’s exactly what it sounds like: toasted French or Italian bread soaked in the rich, savory au jus of an Italian beef sandwich.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2025

Here he is the 1919 go-between for Esther Nacht, a 14-year-old Jewish refugee whom he places with the Winslow family as an au pair.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2025

We sat down frequently to coq au vin, prime ribs au jus, and cotelette Milanese with all the trimmings.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou