aluminum

[ 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

/ ə-lo̅o̅′mə-nəm /

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 Words From

• al·u·min·ic [al-y, uh, -, min, -ik], 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

Priority No. 1 for the project, which is managed by the China Geological Survey, is to help the country wean itself off imported fossil fuels and ores such as iron and aluminum.

From Science Magazine

It has an aluminum frame to hold it together, and it has electronics inside, but the sides of the cube are made of wood.

From NewsForKids.net

A chemist for the Alcoa Aluminum Company doing research on discolored teeth to determine whether it was caused by aluminum discovered that the cause was fluoride, not aluminum.

From Salon

Wanek advised — the aluminum foundry worker said he predicted the Packers would win by 20 but was uncertain who is going to prevail on Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

At 73, Domínguez now spends mornings on the streets of Pasadena, searching trash bins for aluminum cans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bottle
• bucket
• canister
• jar
• package