copper

1 of 3

noun (1)

cop·​per ˈkä-pər How to pronounce copper (audio)
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 How to pronounce copper (audio)

transitive verb

: to coat or sheathe with or as if with copper

copper

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural coppers

Examples of copper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
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 Cut the tubing to fit, and add a copper cap to top of the rebar. Halee Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024 More recently, Ringwald has been wearing her copper hair in a shag. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024 One room over, in the kitchen and dining area, walls and ceiling were a soft pink, with oversized copper light fixtures and the aforementioned disco ball. The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2024 The 140th Anniversary Edition adds a copper platter and other refinements, mechanical and aesthetic, to last year’s choice. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 The editorial claims that in an emergency, such as a wildfire, copper wire landlines would be more dependable than cell phones. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Hendrick’s is a blend of two gins made using different stills, a Carter-Head and copper pot, each producing a unique spirit with its own character. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 Decorative metal options like copper or brass are pricier and require regular polishing to prevent effects from oxidation. Samantha S. Thorpe, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'copper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of copper was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near copper

Cite this Entry

“Copper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copper. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

copper

1 of 2 noun
cop·​per ˈkäp-ər How to pronounce copper (audio)
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

Medical Definition

copper

noun
cop·​per ˈkäp-ər How to pronounce copper (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on copper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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