copper

1 of 3

noun (1)

cop·​per ˈkä-pər 

plural coppers

often attributive

1

: a metallic chemical element that is easily formed into sheets and wires and is one of the best known conductors of heat and electricity see Chemical Elements Table

2

: a coin or token made of copper or bronze

3

chiefly British : a large boiler (as for cooking)

4

: any of a subfamily (Lycaeninae of the family Lycaenidae) of small butterflies with usually copper-colored wings

copper

2 of 3

verb

coppered; coppering ˈkä-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to coat or sheathe with or as if with copper

copper

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural coppers

: police officer

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• bobby [British]
• bull [slang]
• constable [chiefly British]
• cop
• flatfoot [slang]
• fuzz
• gendarme
• lawman
• officer
• police officer
• policeman
• shamus [slang]

Examples of copper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Materials like copper, rebar, and glass are also in high demand, driving up expenses. —Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024

Elements and minerals including copper, lithium, nickel, and cobalt support the technology that can power clean energy, electric vehicles, telescope lenses, and computer screens, and more. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024

Hydrogen peroxide, which is used in hair lightener and hair color to lighten hair and develop color, is easily catalyzed by metals like copper and iron, explains George. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024

Heavy on metallic pigments, Dooley's prints feature copper backgrounds and bronze and silver hair. —Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024

The firm plans to complete construction of its 900,000-ton-per-year copper smelter in May. —Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Some of the products are counterfeit and may be tainted with copper or lead. —Terence McGinley, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024

Bolstering crops with a greater understanding of their roots One of the most important roles that microbes play for plants is upping the roots’ intake of vital nutrients like water, phosphorus, copper and zinc. —Maddie Bender, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024

The Biden administration has committed tens of billions of dollars to expand broadband service across the United States, which could help ween people off copper lines. —Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English coper, from Old English, from Late Latin cuprum copper, from Latin (aes) Cyprium, literally, Cyprian metal

Noun (2)

cop entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1846, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing copper

• copper sulfate
• chromated copper arsenate
• copper pyrites
• copper beech
• copper-bottomed

Kids Definition

copper

1 of 2 noun

cop·​per ˈkäp-ər 

1

: a reddish metallic element that is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity see element

2

: a copper or bronze coin

3

chiefly British : a large copper kettle or boiler

4

: any of various small butterflies with usually copper-colored wings

coppery

ˈkäp-(ə-)rē

adjective

copper

2 of 2 noun

: police officer

Medical Definition

copper

noun

cop·​per ˈkäp-ər 

often attributive

: a common reddish metallic element that is ductile and malleable and one of the best conductors of heat and electricity

—symbol Cu see Chemical Elements Table

coppery

ˈkäp-(ə-)rē 

adjective