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

Eco effort The hotel takes a paperless and plastic-free approach to all parts of the guest experience—look for refillable aluminum water bottles in your room. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026

The sleek blue aluminum hull is topped by a low, streamlined superstructure made of Brazilian teak and twin towering masts. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 June 2026

Bell and his colleagues began reconsidering that assumption when their examination of NWA 12774 showed that the meteorite’s crystals of a mineral called clinopyroxene contained an especially large amount of aluminum. —Jenna Ahart, Scientific American, 9 June 2026

As Lavazza launches a potential competitor, Keurig has its own plans for plastic- and aluminum-free coffee pods. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 8 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