aluminum

noun

alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm 

: a silver-white metallic chemical element with atomic number 13 that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation

—often used before another noun

aluminum foil

The sweet spot, the point in a bat where vibration supposedly is least, is said to be two times larger on an aluminum bat than on a wood one.

—Hank Hersch

Before he evacuated, Mr. Gonzales tied the boat down with four gigantic ropes and all the storm could do was knock it off the construction blocks. He slowly climbs a battered aluminum ladder propped up on the port side.

—Ken Wells

see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of aluminum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Aluminum targets tougher battery demands The coated aluminum can be used for battery enclosures and casings, where corrosion protection can help improve component durability. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026

The iPhone 13 has an aluminum frame with a glass back, while the iPhone 18 Pro models feature an aluminum unibody design. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026

The moon is America’s, hot dogs are sandwiches, aluminum has only one I. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

The aluminum version will cost £70 (about US$130) for early backers and £119 ($222) at retail, while, the titanium tool will cost £99 ($185) for Kickstarter backers and £149 ($278) at retail. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alumine "alumina" (borrowed from French, borrowed from Latin alūmin-, alūmen alum entry 1) + -um (in the names of other metals, as platinum entry 1, tantalum)

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aluminum

• aluminum foil
• aluminum oxide
• aluminum sulfate

Rhymes for aluminum

• aluminium

Kids Definition

aluminum

noun

alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm 

: a silver-white malleable light element that conducts electricity and heat well, is highly resistant to oxidation, and is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust see element

Medical Definition

aluminum

noun

alu·​mi·​num ə-ˈlü-mə-nəm 

: a silver-white malleable ductile light trivalent metallic chemical element with atomic number 13 that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation

—symbol Al see Chemical Elements Table