aluminum

noun

alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm 

: a silver-white metallic chemical element with atomic number 13 that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation

—often used before another noun

aluminum foil

The sweet spot, the point in a bat where vibration supposedly is least, is said to be two times larger on an aluminum bat than on a wood one.

—Hank Hersch

Before he evacuated, Mr. Gonzales tied the boat down with four gigantic ropes and all the storm could do was knock it off the construction blocks. He slowly climbs a battered aluminum ladder propped up on the port side.

—Ken Wells

see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of aluminum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From headlight housings and door trim to bumpers and exhaust tips, the polish doesn’t just work on chrome but also steel, copper, aluminum and brass. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

This handsome portable stands out for its incredibly bright and colorful OLED display and full aluminum chassis, giving it luxurious curb appeal at a near-budget price. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 June 2026

By swapping out the original heavy iron construction for titanium tubing and aluminum castings, the unsprung mass at the rear has been slashed by a massive 50% compared to original-era racing Escorts. —Utkarsh Sood june 15, New Atlas, 15 June 2026

An investigation revealed a 27-year-old man had hit another man numerous times in the head with an aluminum pole, police said, adding that the victim suffered significant injuries. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

alumine "alumina" (borrowed from French, borrowed from Latin alūmin-, alūmen alum entry 1) + -um (in the names of other metals, as platinum entry 1, tantalum)

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aluminum

• aluminum foil
• aluminum oxide
• aluminum sulfate

Rhymes for aluminum

• aluminium

Kids Definition

aluminum

noun

alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm 

: a silver-white malleable light element that conducts electricity and heat well, is highly resistant to oxidation, and is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust see element

Medical Definition

aluminum

noun

alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm 

: a silver-white malleable ductile light trivalent metallic chemical element with atomic number 13 that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation

—symbol Al see Chemical Elements Table