aluminum

British, al·u·min·i·um

[uh-loo-muh-nuhm]

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.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or containing aluminum.

   an aluminum frying pan.

aluminum

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

Other Word Forms

• aluminic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aluminum¹

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

Example Sentences

Recyclable items, including glass and aluminum, will continue to go into blue bins.

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In their place, the administration has expanded other tariffs on individual industries like steel, aluminum and automobiles based on more established national security law — Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

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Canada’s economy remains vulnerable to tariffs and shifts in supply chains, particularly trade-exposed sectors and manufacturers targeted by sector-specific tariffs and duties on steel and aluminum, wood products and automobiles.

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Lightning production was temporarily paused last month over an aluminum shortage.

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In addition to the blocks, the home will feature a lightweight steel roof and dual-pane windows with aluminum frames.

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Related Words

• bottle 
• bucket 
• canister 
• jar 
• package