Definition of nickel
1 : a silver-white hard malleable ductile metallic element capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion that is used chiefly in alloys and as a catalyst — see element table
2a (1) : the U.S. 5-cent piece regularly containing 25 percent nickel and 75 percent copper (2) : the Canadian 5-cent pieceb : five cents
3 slang : a packet containing five dollars worth of an illicit drug (such as marijuana) —called also nickel bag
4 : a pass defense in football that employs five defensive backs
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Origin and Etymology of nickel
probably from Swedish nickel, from German Kupfernickel niccolite (mineral containing nickel arsenide) probably from Kupfer copper + Nickel goblin; from the deceptive copper color of niccolite
First Known Use: 1755
NICKEL Defined for English Language Learners
nickel
playDefinition of nickel for English Language Learners
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: a hard silver-white metal
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: a U.S. or Canadian coin that is worth five cents
NICKEL Defined for Kids
nickel
playDefinition of nickel for Students
1 : a hard silvery white metallic chemical element that can be highly polished, resists weathering, and is used in alloys
2 : a United States coin worth five cents
Medical Dictionary
nickel
playMedical Definition of nickel
: a silver-white hard malleable ductile metallic element capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion that is used chiefly in alloys and as a catalyst—symbol Ni; see element table
Learn More about nickel
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See words that rhyme with nickel Spanish Central: Translation of nickel Nglish: Translation of nickel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of nickel for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nickel
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