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

The muscular, curved concrete shell, an attention-drawing cipher from the leafy street, is sliced by a series of slender vertical windows and embellished with copper accents. —Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024

Don't skip Keweenaw National Historical Park, which pays homage to Calumet's storied copper mining age. —Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024

For a still warm, but slightly more muted and auburn-inspired shade—otherwise known as cowboy copper—Shvonne Perkins, master colorist and lead educator at Madison Reed, suggests asking for a golden, copper toner without a brown base. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2024

In a token ring LAN, shielded twisted-pair copper wires connect each computer to its upstream and downstream neighbors in an endless ring structure. —IEEE Spectrum, 7 Apr. 2024

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

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

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