amalgam

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noun amal·gam \ ə-ˈmal-gəm \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of amalgam

1 :a mixture of different elements

an amalgam of musical forms

The crowd was an amalgam of young and old.

2 :an alloy of mercury with another metal that is solid or liquid at room temperature according to the proportion of mercury present and is used especially in making tooth cements

Dentists have used silver-colored mercury amalgam (mercury mixed, about 50/50, with a combination of silver, tin, copper and other metals) to fill cavities for at least 150 years.
—Jennifer Huget

See amalgam defined for English-language learners

See amalgam defined for kids

Examples of amalgam in a Sentence

a church that is an amalgam of traditional and modern architectural styles

Recent Examples of amalgam from the Web

The Black Current Jam Project is an extension of the post-MBase amalgam of styles Hurst plies.

— michael g. nastos, Detroit Free Press, "2017 Detroit Jazz Festival: Can't-miss music highlights from Labor Day weekend," 30 Aug. 2017
The video had an amalgam of Taylor's past selves that split the internet.

— ashley hoffman, Time, "Here Are the Best and Worst Moments From the 2017 MTV VMAs," 28 Aug. 2017
The first-year Wolves are an amalgam of Glen Este and Amelia.

— john snodgrass, Cincinnati.com, "What to Watch: Ohio football Week 1," 23 Aug. 2017
Authorities said the 39ers were an amalgam of members of Central City's 3NG (Third and Galvez) gang and the 9th Ward's G-Strip (Gallier Street) gang, along with a group from the Florida housing development.

— ken daley, NOLA.com, "3 life sentences imposed on last of 10 39ers gang members convicted in federal court," 16 Aug. 2017
Having grown up near Stone Mountain, Georgia, the idea of Glover making a show about a struggling rapper in Atlanta was the absolute amalgam of his many talents.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Everything We Know About Atlanta Season Two Right Now," 9 Aug. 2017
There’s a jauntiness to Newman’s stride in these songs, a mischievous twinkle in his sing-speak drawl that suggests an amalgam of Mose Allison, Allen Toussaint and bemused Mad magazine cover boy Alfred E. Neuman.

— greg kot, chicagotribune.com, "Review: Randy Newman still has much to say," 4 Aug. 2017
The décor will be an amalgam of retro and contemporary touches, and the menu will strive to do the same.

— james patrick kelly, idahostatesman, "Diner coming soon to Boise Avenue; Huckleberry Festival Aug. 11-13," 3 Aug. 2017
The political movement that once stood athwart history resisting bloated government and military adventurism has been reduced to an amalgam of talk-radio resentments.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Only 1 in 4 Americans strongly support Trump," 17 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of amalgam

Middle English amalgame, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin amalgama

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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amalgam Synonyms

Synonyms

admixture, alloy, blend, amalgamation, cocktail, combination, composite, compound, conflation, emulsion, fusion, intermixture, meld, mix, mixture, synthesis

Near Antonyms

component, constituent, element, ingredient

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

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

AMALGAM Defined for English Language Learners

amalgam

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noun

Definition of amalgam for English Language Learners

: a combination or mixture of different things
: a mixture of mercury and other metals used for filling holes in teeth

Medical Dictionary

amalgam

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noun amal·gam \ ə-ˈmal-gəm \

medical Definition of amalgam

:an alloy of mercury with another metal that is solid or liquid at room temperature according to the proportion of mercury present and is used especially in making tooth cements