copper

1 of 3

noun (1)

cop·​per ˈkä-pər 

plural coppers

1

: a metallic chemical element with atomic number 29 that is easily formed into sheets and wires and is one of the best known conductors of heat and electricity

—often used before another noun

copper wire

a copper mug

copper mines

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)

• policeman
• officer
• cop
• constable [chiefly British]

Examples of copper in a Sentence

Noun (2)

a crime novel set in the days when policemen were coppers and safecrackers were "yeggs"

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Other products include Windsor chairs handmade in Lewes, East Sussex, England, by a company called Hope Springs; replica wooden Mackintosh stools made in Perthshire, Scotland, and vintage watering cans made from French copper and antique gardening tools restored by Garden & Wood Ltd. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025

Its $12 billion Carajás expansion highlights Vale’s emphasis on bolstering its fundamental iron ore assets while boosting copper production—an essential metal for electrification and energy transition. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

The proceeds will be used to fund the exploration and development of mines for metals such as copper, palladium, nickel, and zinc, all critical for the energy transition and data centers. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Display your collection of brass or copper pieces for an easy fall decorating idea. —Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025

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

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

Rhymes for copper

• chopper
• cropper
• dropper
• pauper
• popper
• proper
• shopper
• stopper
• topper
• whopper
• eavesdropper
• grasshopper

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 

: a metallic chemical element with atomic number 29 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