aluminum

noun, often attributive alu·mi·num \ ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of aluminum

: a bluish silver-white light malleable ductile trivalent metallic element that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation and is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust where it always occurs in combination — see Chemical Elements Table

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See aluminum defined for kids

Recent Examples of aluminum from the Web

Cohn's comment came amid escalating tensions between the US and its allies Canada, Mexico and the European Union over steel and aluminum.

— veronica stracqualursi, CNN, "Ex-WH economic adviser Gary Cohn warns of trade war," 15 June 2018
Trump administration has already run afoul of the international community over its decisions to quit agreements like the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal, and to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum against key trading partners.

— Washington Post, "When, not if: US poised to quit UN’s human rights council," 15 June 2018
But given the steel and aluminum tariffs and tensions with Canada, the United States finds itself on its own in talks with China.

— neil irwin, New York Times, "Trade Skirmish or War? Who Gets Hurt?," 15 June 2018
Asked about Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs on the construction industry, Rewold seemed positive.

— marc daalder, Detroit Free Press, "Pence stumps for Schuette in Michigan, visits Rochester construction HQ," 15 June 2018
But after the United States imposed tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from countries including Canada and Mexico, the threat of new levies must be taken seriously.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Walsh wants Boston developers to pay more," 13 June 2018
The steel and aluminum tariffs come on top of a nationwide labor shortage and previous tariffs on lumber.

— dylan jackson, miamiherald, "South Florida home prices and rents are already expensive. And they could soon get worse.," 13 June 2018
Trudeau, in a news conference on Saturday, had reiterated his strong objections to steep U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports of steel and aluminum.

— steve holland, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump economic adviser Kudlow in ‘good’ condition after heart attack," 12 June 2018
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron separately indicated significant frustration in recent days with Trump over his decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum.

— ronald j. hansen, azcentral, "McCain, Flake push back on Trump's call for Russia to rejoin the G7," 8 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aluminum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of aluminum

New Latin, from alumina

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1810

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

ALUMINUM Defined for English Language Learners

aluminum

noun

Definition of aluminum for English Language Learners

: a silver metal that is strong and light and that is used for making many products

ALUMINUM Defined for Kids

aluminum

noun alu·mi·num \ ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm \

Definition of aluminum for Students

: a silver-white light metallic chemical element that is easily worked, conducts electricity well, resists weathering, and is the most plentiful metal in the earth's crust

Medical Dictionary

aluminum

noun, often attributive alu·mi·num \ ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm \

medical Definition of aluminum

: a bluish silver-white malleable ductile light trivalent metallic element that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation and is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust where it always occurs in combination —symbol Al — see Chemical Elements Table