aluminum

American  

[uh-loo-muh-nuhm] / əˈlu mə nəm /

British, aluminium

noun

1. Chemistry. a silver-white metallic element, light in weight, ductile, malleable, and not readily corroded or tarnished, occurring combined in nature in igneous rock, shale, clay, and most soil: used in alloys and for lightweight utensils, castings, airplane parts, etc. alum.; Al; 26.98; 13; 2.70 at 20°C.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or containing aluminum.

   an aluminum frying pan.

aluminum Scientific  

/ ə-lo̅o̅′mə-nəm /

1. Symbol Al A lightweight, silvery-white metallic element that is ductile, is found chiefly in bauxite, and is a good conductor of electricity. It is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust and is used to make a wide variety of products from soda cans to airplane components. Atomic number 13; atomic weight 26.9815; melting point 660.3°C (1,220.5°F); boiling point 2,519°C; specific gravity 2.70; valence 3.

2. See Periodic Table

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Other Word Forms

• aluminic adjective

Etymology

Origin of aluminum

1812; from New Latin; aluminum was an alteration, by Humphry Davy, of alumium, which was first proposed; the chiefly British variant aluminium was formed after other metals in -ium. See alumina, -ium

Compare meaning

How does aluminum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• alumina vs. aluminum

Example Sentences

Industries like aluminum, used extensively in transportation and construction, as well as helium, which is key for semiconductors, have been stung by the natural-gas shortages.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rising aluminum stockpiles in China and softening demand there are tempering global price increases despite supply disruptions.

From The Wall Street Journal

The aluminum market remains unsettled by the Middle East conflict, with traders still assessing the impact on supply flows and demand prospects, ANZ Research analysts say in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Supply disruptions in the Gulf states, where 8%-9% of global output passes through the Strait of Hormuz, have tightened availability, driving spot aluminum prices up about 10% in two weeks, he notes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Find insight on silver futures, fertilizer sources, aluminum and more in the latest Market Talks covering Basic Materials.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bottle
• bucket
• canister
• jar
• package