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

The higher tariffs would apply to Chinese steel and aluminum imports that aren't subject to a Trump-era 25% tariff still in place on certain steel imports. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

Administration officials are mindful of how previous surges of cheap Chinese exports of steel and aluminum hollowed out American manufacturing hubs in previous decades. —Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024

Biden has kept the tariffs and on Wednesday suggested plans to expand them on steel and aluminum. —Josh Boak, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024

Steel and aluminum could become more expensive, possibly increasing the costs of cars, construction materials and other key goods for U.S. consumers. —Chris Megerian and Will Weissert, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024

The president said China is also sending steel and aluminum through Mexico first in order to avoid U.S. tariffs, which the U.S. will be working with Mexico to prevent. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2024

The Mariposa’s hip belt, back padding, and aluminum frame can be removed to make the pack even lighter, though this sacrifices comfort and ability to carry the pack fully loaded. —Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2024

The wind chime is a combination of rust-resistant aluminum tubes and beechwood. —Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2024

The machine evokes the original 1930s aluminum suitcases that made the luxury luggage purveyor famous. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from alumina

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aluminum

• aluminum foil
• aluminum oxide
• aluminum sulfate

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 

often attributive

: a bluish silver-white malleable ductile light trivalent metallic element that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation and is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust where it always occurs in combination

—symbol Al see Chemical Elements Table